MXPA99008350A

MXPA99008350A - An automated document processing system using full image scanning

Info

Publication number: MXPA99008350A
Application number: MXPA/A/1999/008350A
Authority: MX
Inventors: U Mennie Douglas; Jones John E; J Jones William; A Jones Paul
Original assignee: Cumminsallison Corp
Priority date: 1997-03-11
Filing date: 1999-09-10
Publication date: 2000-01-01

Abstract

A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining an image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.

Description

AN AUTOMATED DOCUMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM, USING THE COMPLETE IMAGE EXPLORATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to document processing systems, such as "automatic cash register machines for payment and payment operations and money-refund machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main object of the invention is to provide a document and money processing system, capable of processing documents using the complete image scan and a money discriminator. A further object of the invention is to provide a document processing system capable of processing documents using full image scanning. Another object of the invention is to provide a money processing system, capable of processing money using a money discriminator. Another object of the invention is to provide a document processing system, capable of processing all types of documents and communicating with all types of external accounting systems.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a document processing system that obtains information when performing the complete image scan of the documents, and that uses this information to determine additional information such as the value of the document; Still another object of the invention is to provide a document processing system that is coupled to an external accounting system, such that deposits and withdrawals from the external accounting system are processed substantially immediately; Still another object of the invention is to provide a system wherein the deposits are processed substantially immediately. A further object of the invention is to provide a document processing system by which the complete image of the scanned document can be communicated to a central office. Still another object of the invention is to provide a money and document processing system which provides all the benefits of an automated cash register and payment processing machine. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and with reference to the drawings. In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects are achieved by providing a "document processing system comprising an input receptacle for receiving documents; a transport mechanism that receives documents from the input receptacle and carries the documents by passing them through a complete image scanning device and a discrimination unit, an output receptacle for receiving the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported by the entire image scanning device and by the discrimination unit; Full image scanning includes means for obtaining a complete video image of the documents, means for obtaining an image of a selected area of the documents, and means for obtaining information contained in the selected area of the document; to determine the authenticity document's nature; and a system controller to direct the document flows in the transport mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The Figure shows a block diagram of the components of a document and money processing system, with a single output tray, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure Ib is a perspective view of a processing system embodiment, with a video screen and a keyboard, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; The Figure is a diagram of the document processing system, with a touch screen, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.; Figure Id is a block diagram of the document processing system, with a touch screen, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; The Figure is a block diagram of the document processing system, with double output tray, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 1 is a block diagram of the document processing system, with a plurality of output trays, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure lg is a block diagram of the document processing system, with a discrimination unit and having a single output receptacle, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 1 is a block diagram of the document processing system, without a discrimination unit and having a double output receptacle, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure li is a block diagram of the processing system. documents, without a discrimination unit and having a plurality of exit receptacles, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure lj is a sectional view of the "document processing systems," showing three output trays; Figure lk is a sectional view of document processing systems, showing four output trays; 11 is a sectional view of document processing systems, showing six output trays; Figure 1 is a view of a document being scanned by the "full image scanning device, in the wide dimension; Figure In is a view of a document that is being scanned by the entire image scanning device, in the narrow dimension; • The Figure is a view of a compact document processing system in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 1 is a block diagram of the document processing system, with modules for inserting smart cards, for delivering smart cards, and "for inserting optical media," in accordance with the principles of the present invention; the document processing system in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure Ir is a block diagram of the document processing system, with a coin sorter, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; is a side view of an evaluation device having several transport rollers in lateral elevation, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention: Figure 1 is a side view showing a removal wheel, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures lu-v are network diagrams of the complete image scanning devices, co nformity with the principles of the present invention; Figures I - and are topological diagrams of networks of complete image scanning devices, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a flow chart describing the operation of the document processing system, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 3 is a block diagram of the complete image scanning device, according to the principles of the present invention; Figure 4a is a block diagram of the discrimination unit, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figures 4b-4d illustrate the scanning process of the discrimination unit in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figures 4e and 4f illustrate the operation of the scanning process in the discrimination unit, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 5a and 5b are graphs illustrating the correlation of the explored patterns and the master patterns, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates a multiple scanning head, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment of the multiple scanning heads, in accordance with the "principles of the present invention;" Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the scanning system, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Another embodiment of the scanning system, in accordance with the principles of the present invention: Figure 10 is a top view, from a stepped scanning head arrangement, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 11b are flow charts illustrating the operation of the discrimination unit, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 12 shows a block diagram of u? counterfeit detector, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 13 is a flowchart of the discrimination unit, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 14 is a graphical representation of the magnetic data points generated by two types of money, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 15 shows a functional block diagram, illustrating one embodiment of the money discrimination unit, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figures 1a and 16b show a flow chart illustrating the steps in implementing the "discrimination unit, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 17 illustrates a routine for detecting the overlap of bills, in accordance with the Principles of the present invention: Figures 18a-18c show an embodiment of the document authentication system, in the uni-unit of discrimination, in accordance with the principles of the present invention: Figure 19 shows a functional block diagram, illustrating one embodiment of the document authentication system, in accordance with the principles of the present invention: Figure 20 shows a modified version of the document authentication system, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; magnetic characteristics of banknotes; Figure 22 shows other magnetic characteristics of banknotes; 23 and 24 illustrate bills that are transported through sensors, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 25 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed to optically determine the denomination of a bill, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 26 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed to optically determine the denomination of a bill, based on the presence of a security strip, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 27 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed to optically determine the denomination of a bill, based on the color of the security strip, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 28 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed to optically determine the denomination of a bill, based on the color of the security strip, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 29 is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed to magnetically determine the denomination of a bill, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 30 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed to optically determine the denomination of a bill, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 31 is a flow chart illustrating the steps taken to optically determine the denomination of a bill, based on the location of the strip, in accordance with the. principles of the present invention; Figure 32 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed to optically determine the denomination of a bill and to magnetically authenticate the bill, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 33 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps taken to magnetically determine the denomination of a bill and to optically authenticate the bill, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 34 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps for determining the denomination of the bill, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 35 is a flow chart illustrating the steps taken to determine the denomination of the bill, both optically and magnetically, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 36 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps for determining the denomination of the "bill, magnetically and based on the location of the strip, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 37 is a flowchart that illustrates the steps taken to determine the denomination of a banknote, optically, based on the location of the strip and magnetically, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 38 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps taken to determine the naming a ticket, based on a first feature and authenticating it based on a second feature, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 39 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed in a method where it is authenticated a ticket based on a first characteristic and the denomination is determined based on a second characteristic, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figures 40 through 44 illustrate alternative methods for determining characteristic information, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figures 45 and 46 illustrate methods where first the denomination of a bill is determined before it can be authenticated, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 47 illustrates a method where a bill has to be first accepted before the denomination can be determined, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, Figure 48a illustrates the selection elements, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 48b illustrates the selection elements, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 48c illustrates the selection elements, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figures 49a, 49b, 50a, 50b, 51a, 51b, and 52 through 53, illustrate alternative means for introducing the value of unidentified documents, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 54 illustrates one embodiment of the control panel, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 55 shows the touch screen, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 56a is a flow diagram of the algorithm unit for the classification of banknotes, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figures 56b, 56c, and 56d are flow charts of the fund distribution algorithm, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 56e is a flowchart of an alternative fund distribution algorithm, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 56f is a flow chart of the coin sorting algorithm, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 57a illustrates methods for entering the value of an unidentified document, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 57b illustrates means for entering the value of an unidentified document, on a touch screen, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 58 is a perspective view of a disc-type coin sorter, embodying the present invention, with an upper portion thereof removed, to show the internal structure; Figure 59 is an enlarged, horizontal section, taken generally along line 59-59 of Figure 58; Figure 60 is an enlarged section, taken, in general, along line 60-60 of Figure 59, showing the coins at full elevation. Figure 61 is an enlarged section, taken, in general, along the line 61-61 of Figure 59, showing in full elevation, a coin of 5 cents exactly coinciding with an ejection cavity; Figure 62 is a schematic cross section of a coin and an improved coin discrimination sensor embodying the invention; Figure 63 is a schematic circuit diagram of the coin discrimination sensor of Figure 62; Figure 64 is a perspective, schematic view of the coils in the coin discrimination sensor of Figure 62; Figure 65a is a circuit diagram of a detector circuit for use with the discrimination sensor of this invention; Figure 65b is a waveform diagram of the input signals supplied to the circuit of Figure 65a; Figure 66 is a perspective view of an outer bypass device embodying the present invention; Figure 67 is a section taken, in general, along line 67-67 of Figure 66; Figure 68 is a section taken, in general, along line 68-68 of Figure 66, showing a movable division in a non-diverting position; and Figure 69 is the same section illustrated in Figure 68, showing the movable portion in a diverting position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY As illustrated in Figures la and Ib, a user deposits money or documents in an input receptacle 16.

It is understood that the term "money", "documents", or "ticket" includes not only conventional US notes or foreign bills, such as banknotes, ® $ 1 but also includes checks, deposit slips, coupons and loan payment documents , food stamps, cash tickets, savings account withdrawal tickets / check deposit slips, deposit tokens in savings account and all kinds of other documents used as proof of deposit in financial institutions. It is understood that the term "documents" also includes loan applications, credit card applications, loan applications to students, accounting invoices, debit forms, forms of transfer to accounts, and all other types of forms with predetermined fields. It is understood that documents of "financial institutions" includes all previous documents with the exception of money. A transport mechanism 18 transports the documents from the input receptacle 16 beyond a full image scanning device 12, wherein the documents are illuminated by a light (not shown). The complete image scanning device 12, described in greater detail below, explores the complete image of the document, recognizes certain fields in the document, and processes the information contained within these fields that are found in the document. For example, the complete image scanning device 12 can search the serial number field when processing American money, determine the serial number once the field is located, and store the serial number for later use by part of the system. The system can also be used to capture any document image for the electronic display of the document, the electronic storage of the document, the electronic transfer of the document, the electronic recognition of the document (such as the recognition of the denomination or the recognition of the quantity of a check) or any other processing function that can be performed using an electronic image. Then, the transport mechanism 18 transports the document by a discrimination and authentication unit 14 which is also described in greater detail later. The discrimination and authentication unit 14 authenticates the document and, in the case of a ticket, determines the denomination of the ticket. In other documents, such as checks, the system can capture information such as the amount of the check, the account number, the bank number, or the check number. The discrimination and authentication unit 14 also instructs the transportation unit 18 to place the document in the output receptacle 16 as described below. A dispensing unit 22 dispenses funds to a user. For example, when the user is depositing money in an account, the system has the ability to return all or part of a deposit, to the user, in the form of banknotes, coins, or other means, through the unit. dispenser 22. The amount of return to the user can be supplemented by funds from other accounts, also as described below. The dispensing unit 22 is capable of accepting a variety of media including bank drafts, smart cards, and checks, and may include separate units focused on accepting a particular type of media. A controller 10 handles the operation of the system. The controller 10 directs the flow of documents from the input receptacle 16 through the transport mechanism 18, through the entire image scanning device 12 and the discrimination and authentication unit 14, and into the output receptacle 20. The transport mechanism directs the documents through the system, so that the documents are scanned, either along its wide dimension as shown in Figure lm. Alternatively, the documents are passed through the system, such that they are scanned along their narrow dimension as shown in Figure 1n. The controller 10 also instructs the dispensing unit 22 to dispense funds to the user and sends the information from the entire image scanning device 12 and the discrimination and authentication unit 14 to an interface 24 that communicates with an accounting system. external or central office. The controller is also able to direct the information from the external office through the interface and to a communications panel -26. Finally, the controller 10 selectively processes the information of the complete image scanning device 12 and of the discrimination and authentication unit 14 for use by the system. It is understood that "external accounting system" includes the physical elements of computation and the computer programs associated with access, maintenance, tracking and updating of savings accounts, checking accounts, credit card accounts, business loans and commercial, payments for consumption, and all kinds of similar accounts, in remotely located sites of the complete image scanning devices. The term includes three broad types of systems: systems where deposits are made; systems where withdrawals are made; and systems where deposits and withdrawals are made. Although the external accounting system described herein is described as a system employed in a financial institution such as a bank, it will be understood that any business institution, public or private, or individual, may employ an external accounting system to process transactions. It is understood that "financial institution" includes savings and loans, investment companies, and all types of financial institutions whether private, public or governmental. The following description is in terms of banks but also includes all financial institutions as such. Several types of payments are made between the clients "of a financial institution, using a device of exploration of complete image, and the accounting system, in the selected financial institution.First, the payments are made from a financial institution to another financial institution for establish accounts Second, payments are made from a retail customer to a particular financial institution or from the financial institution to the determined retail customer Third, financial institutions can issue payments to, and receive payments from, the Reserve Banks Federal, within each region Fourth, consumers can make payments or withdraw payments from financial institutions Fifth, businesses of many types can make payments to, or withdraw payments from, financial institutions The external accounting system that is in the financial institution receives the information that has been processed on the device and full image scanning of the present invention. The external accounting system performs different operations based on the type of media used in the transaction and based on the type of accounts that have been accessed. - * • When checks are used in the transaction, the check is marked with the customer's checking account number, the bank number, and the Federal Reserve Region. If multiple banks are involved in the payment, each bank number is marked for payment through an endorsement on the back of the check. Alternatively, the system could check the checks electronically. In other words, the customer's checking account number, the bank number and the Federal Reserve Region are marked electronically on the check image. Marking also occurs in current electronic payments such as wire transfers. The external accounting system processes the information associated with checking accounts that may have individual consumers, businesses, trade associations, trusts, non-profit organizations or any other organization. The documents used in the operation of the checking account include checks, deposit slips for the checking account, debit or credit slips that can be issued by the bank against the checking account, new account application forms, and ways for clients to order checks and deposit slips again. The complete image scanning device of the present processes all these documents. The documents could be received in a complete image scanning device located in the line of a cashier, a window for car retirement, an ATM or, alternatively, the documents can be received by mail. If received by mail, the bank's employees immediately pass the documents through a complete image scanning device without having to send the documents to a central location for processing. The external accounting system keeps a record of all transactions related to the. Checking account, balances, and tracking information associated with a particular check. Savings accounts are another type of account for which the external accounting system processes the information. Savings accounts typically receive a certain rate of interest payment on balances held. Individuals can keep savings that have interests, in a bank. Depending on the terms, the duration of withdrawals from a savings account could vary from immediate withdrawal to as much as five years. When a consumer agrees to leave the funds for a longer period, this usually gives the account a higher interest rate earned. The documents used in a savings account transaction include deposit tokens, withdrawal tokens, tokens for new account application and debit or credit tokens, which can be applied against the account by the given banking institution. The complete image scanning device of the present invention processes all of these documents. Again, the documents could be received at the cashier's line, at a car window, at an ATM, or by mail, and be scanned immediately at the point of entry without transporting the document to a central location. This information is sent to an external accounting system, where it can be stored, verified and analyzed. The accounting system collects statistical data from clients and their accounts, and maintains current balances, interest earnings, available funds, available advances, and records of all information concerning deposits and withdrawals. Credit card accounts are another type of account that are manipulated by the external accounting system. When a credit card is used in a transaction, the bank typically receives a commission. The entire image scanning device of the present invention reads the credit cards that are being used for electronic payment. The external accounting system maintains a record of the customer's credit limit, available credit, current balance, and payment. Preferably, the external accounting system does not establish the balance of the credit card until the end of the month when the customer pays the outstanding balance in the account ..- *. The debit card is similar to a credit card but is a newer type of media. With the debit card is immediately charged to the customer's account when the transaction takes place. The complete image processing system of the present invention accepts a debit card and performs the same functions described above with respect to credit cards. Smart cards are a new payment method, in development. The bank, telephone companies and transit authorities issue smart cards for the use of customers. Smart cards have a previously stored value, against which the customer withdraws. Consumers could deposit cash or write a check or present a withdrawal document, through the full image scanning device, to buy a smart card. A bank owns other different types of documents. For example, a bank may hold a trust for an individual, such as a trust retirement account. An external accounting system can maintain all types of information regarding these types of accounts, such as account balances, interest revenues, and due dates.

The external accounting system also maintains records and manages the information regarding mortgages, consumer loans and student loans. The external accounting system maintains records such as loan balance, last payment, interest rate, and amount paid. The external accounting system also distributes funds among the various accounts described above. For example, an individual, with savings and checking accounts, in a bank, can maintain a mortgage with the bank. The external accounting system can make monthly withdrawals from the checking account or • from the savings account, to pay the bank monthly the amount mortgaged owed. To do this, the consumer can issue a check for payment and present it against a coupon provided to the consumer by the bank with the monthly mortgage payment required. The coupon and the check (or the withdrawal of savings and the coupon) are passed through the entire image scanning device (on the cashier's line or the automated cash register). The information is read by the complete image scanning device and transmitted to the external accounting system which makes the required transfers. A customer could use the external accounting system to electronically remove any funds from an account, without issuing a check as payment for their mortgage. Alternatively, a customer of the bank could mail the payment by check and the loan coupon to the bank. Upon receipt, the employee of the Juaneo immediately passes the check and the coupon through the full image scanning device at any location of the bank - branch, central offices, payment center, etc. The document would not have to be sent to a centralized verification department for handling. "Similarly, businesses can borrow from banks for commercial property mortgages. Again, monthly payments are required, and the company must withdraw funds from their checking account to make these monthly payments. Again, an external accounting system could be used to make an electronic payment without the use of checks, using wire transfers or other methods, or the check for payment and coupon, can be scanned using the full image scanning device. Alternatively, a bank customer could mail the bank the check payment and the loan coupon. Upon receipt, the bank employee immediately passes the check and the coupon through the scanning device at any location of the bank - branch, central offices, payment center, etc. The document would not have to be sent to a centralized verification department for handling. Consumer loan transactions, for example, involving car loans, home improvement loans, educational loans, is another type of transaction processed by the external accounting system. Payments are typically made using a monthly reimbursement program by issuing the check payable to the bank for the monthly balance. The full image scan of the check and the loan coupon could be used for this transaction.The payment can be processed as described above.Alternatively, the customer could mail the payment and the bank could process it through their payment devices. Full-image exploration Several types of loan-to-business transactions can also be processed through the external accounting system that includes a "bank line of credit" or "revolving loan." This type of loan typically has a maturity of one year. A certain business withdraws an authorized amount in a given year For example, a business can have a line of credit with a bank for up to $ 2 million dollars, and, on a daily basis, make use of this line of credit. The typical guarantee provided by this loan would include accounts receivable, inventory, etc. As long as the company has accounts receivable that support the loan, it can withdraw as much as the authorized amount. Then, when the company's financial position improves, the company pays this revolving loan, either by issuing a check made payable to the bank or - * via wire transfer from the company's cash account for the loan payment. The full image scanning device could be used to accept those payments by check and the bank's external accounting system processes these payments as described above. Other types of loans, such as term loans, which could have a maturity of five years with a repayment of scheduled principle and interest payments required on a monthly or quarterly basis, are processed and tracked by the external accounting system. Longer term loans are also available with guarantees such as buildings, which could have a life of 10 to 15 years. Banks sometimes subscribe obligations or other issues of debt securities, by companies. For example, a company may have an industrial income certificate issued by a city, in the amount of $ 1.5 million. However, as a backup to the credit of the company, the bank guarantees the payment if the company could not comply. The company pays a small interest rate (for example, 1/4 or 1% per year) as collateral from the bank. Checks are a method used by banks to make those payments. Therefore, the complete image scanning device and the external accounting system could be used to process this type of transaction, such a comp described above. Another important service provided by the external accounting system for commercial accounts is cash handling. This can be provided through safe deposit services or sweeping accounts. For example, a company needs a minimum operating cash balance, in its checking account, each day, to meet the payment requirements to sellers or employees, for example. Every day, hundreds of payments are received from several clients of the company, typically through checks. The checks are deposited in the general account of the company. When the balance of the company exceeds its operating requirements, the external accounting system of the bank, automatically "sweeps" the additional funds of the account that has no interest, to an account that has interests such as a commercial document. In a similar way, many companies have customer payments directed to a "bank safe deposit box". This safe deposit box address is located at a location in the bank and all customer payments to the company are diverted to this safe box address. This ensures that the payments are deposited as quickly as possible, so that the commercial customers of the bank have the immediate use of the funds in the bank. The following day the external accounting system of the bank notifies the company what payments were received in the account and the company adjusts its accounts receivable balance a day later, creating a synchronization problem due to the delay. The complete image scanning device of the present invention allows a company to scan the documents through the scanning device that is in the "location of the company (thus eliminating the need to first send the payments to a cashier location). security of the bank) and receive the immediate credit electronically through the external accounting system located in the bank.Images of the checks and other images would be immediately available through the external accounting system in the bank, for purposes of recording them. Both, the safe deposit box services by the banks are managed on a decentralized basis in the locations of the customers of the banks.Another service provided by the external accounting system is the payment of payroll accounts. instructions to the accounting system that is in the bank to withdraw amounts from the general account of the emp resa, the day of the payroll and to pay the payments - Payroll in the accounts of employees. The external accounting system can also provide direct deposits to employees' accounts without actually issuing a check. Therefore, employees have the immediate use of their funds. Companies often maintain cash balances invested in commercial bank documents. The bank, through the accounting system, pays the interest for the cash balances daily. Deposits and withdrawals are typically handled by a previously authorized officer of the company, such as the account reviewer. The movement of funds typically requires written authorization that includes a signature of the company official. The entire image scanning device and the external accounting system of the present invention are used for withdrawals from a commercial document to a checking account or for the purchase of a commercial document. This could be initiated by inserting a predesigned form with an area to add the registered quantity and the authorized signature. The full image scanning device captures the quantity and looks for an equal signature. The system, through the link with a computer 15 of the central office, processes the transactions in a substantially immediate manner. That is, deposits are processed in real time instead of waiting at the end of the day. Also, complete images of all documents can be stored in mass storage devices 17 located in the central office. The images could also be stored in the unit itself, or in another remote system. The images could also be stored temporarily and 'sent later, - *. A personal computer 11 is also connected to the system. The personal computer can also process data from the scanning modules. The processing of the scanned data may occur in the personal computer 11, within the full image scanning module 12 or in the discrimination unit 14, or in the computer 15 of the central office. The system is also connected to cash register station 13 (which includes a display screen). Several complete image scanning devices can be interconnected to form a local area network (LAN) The individual image scanning devices may be located, for example, in the cash register stations, in the security vaults of the banks, or in the companies. In that network, some or all of the processing of the image is achieved in the image scanning device, and not in a certain centralized location. In other words, the processing functionality is "distributed" in that array. Individual LANs may have different physical arrays or topologies. Referring now to Figure Iw, the full image scanning devices 6054, 6056, 6058, and 6060 are connected to a common bus 6062. The bus 6062 is coupled to an interface 6052. The interface is communicated CTi a system external accounting that works as described above. The bus-based network topology is not expensive, it is reliable and requires the least amount of cable for any LAN topology. A LAN using a ring topology is illustrated in Figure lx. The complete image scanning devices' 6054, 6056, 6058, and 6060 relay information to adjacent scanning devices using point-to-point links. The scanning devices communicate with other networks through a 6052 interface. Although more expensive than the bus topology, the ring topology itself is capable of transmitting information over greater distances. Figure 1 illustrates a LAN using a star topology, where a complete image scanning device, central, 6058, is connected to full image scanning devices 6054, 6056, 6060, and 6062. The complete, central image scanning device communicates with other networks through an interface 6052. An advantage of the topology Star is an improved administration of the network. Because all traffic passes through the complete, central image scanning device, 6058, traffic inspection is simple and detailed network reports are easy to produce. Increased security is inherently a part of the topology type, since the central unit can store tables of user access rights, as well as acceptable passwords. Also, the network can easily control who initiates a session on some remote device present in the network. Referring now to Figure lu, another image processing network is illustrated, in accordance with the present invention. An external accounting system 6036 communicates with the front processor (FEP) 6038. The FEP 6038 is a controller that can be programmed with computer programs, which replaces the external accounting system 6036 in many tasks of interconnection in networks and data communication. The FEP interrogates the devices, makes verification and recovery of errors, the 'translation of symbols characters, and the dynamic buffer control. The FEP also serves as a data concentrator that concentrates several low-speed transmissions in a high-speed stationary data stream. The full image scan devices 6040, 6044, and 6046 communicate with the FEP 6038 (and the external accounting system -6036) through the group controller 6042. The group controller 6042 serves as an interface between the external accounting system 6036 and the scanning devices 6040, 6044, and 6046. The image processing device 6036 has a master / slave relationship with the scanning devices 6040, 6044, and 6046 and interrogates, via the FEP 6038, the devices and determines if they wish to communicate. With respect to Figure lv another network of. image processing. In this network access paths are used to connect networks that have different network architectures. The access paths use all seven layers of the OSI model and perform protocol conversion functions in the Applications layer. An external accounting system 6148 is coupled to the FEP 6150a which is connected to an access path.6150b for the bit configuration ring interface coupler (TIC). The 6150b access path of the TIC provides connections to the ring networks of bit configurations 6156, '6160, and 6164 which include other full image scanning devices. The path of the highest performance LAN is the link between a ring network of bit configurations 6156 and the FEP 6150a of the image processing device, via the 6150b access path of the TIC. The TIC 6150b allows a connection of 4 bps or 16 mbps, depending on the physical computing elements used. The TIC 6150b is seen by the main computer as a group controller; the external accounting system interrogates the TIC 6150b which in turn interrogates any units of the ring network of bit configurations 6156. The network also contains a remote LAN path that functions as a gateway to another ring LAN of bit configurations 6162. For example, path 6161 operates as a group controller and communicates with the FEP using the IBM SDLC protocol through synchronous modems 6154 and 6155 at both sites. Synchronous modems 6154 and 6155 can dial F? P at speeds up to 64 kbps. Remote X.25 LANs (which use the X.25 packet switching protocol and contain full image scanning devices) can also communicate with the host computer through the X.25 access paths. Access 6151 with an adapter card functions as a group controller and executes special compute programs of the 6151 path that execute a given protocol and communicates with the X.25 network.A local coaxial access path 6160 is also provided. allows a LAN workstation to emulate a distributed function terminal (DFT) processing mode.It should be understood that units connected to particular access routes are not, in any way, limited to use with an access path in In fact, access roads and units can be interchanged and other types of equipment can be used to structure the network, which is known to those experienced in the network. technique. The communication panel 26 presents information to the user and accepts user instructions. Panel 26 consists of a video screen 50 on which the information is presented to the user by the system, and a keyboard 52 to accept instructions from a user. As shown in Figure 1, the communications panel 26 may consist of a touch screen 27 or as shown in Figure Id, a combination of a touch screen 27 and a keyboard 29. A slot 54 is used to receive the card. of identification of a user. The user inserts the card into the slot 54 to gain access to the machine. The user deposits the documents in the tray 56. The loose money is dispensed in the slot 58, the money is bundled in the receptacle 60, and the loose or packaged coins, in the receptacle 62. As shown in Figure lp, they can add other modules to the system. A smart card acceptance module 63 is provided to accept the smart card. A smart card delivery module 65 is provided to deliver the smart cards. An optical reader module 67 is also provided for accepting and delivering optical media. An audio microphone 64a and a horn 64b allow two-way communication between the user and a central office, for example, with a "cash register" at the central office of the bank.Thus, during working hours of a financial institution, the bank staff is connected to the system via the audio microphone 64a and the horn 64b.The computer 15 (which includes a video terminal) of the central office also receives and presents complete video images of the system documents. If the documents can not be recognized!:, The image is sent to the employees of the bank for observation in the terminal.The bank employees could then discuss the document with the client.In this case, the employee of the bank could decide to accept the document immediately, for credit, after reviewing the image in the terminal.With a full image scan, you may have scanned enough information from a document you do not recognize This way, the review by the employee of the bank in the terminal will allow the same to announce exactly the value of the document. In addition, the image of a document can be presented on the monitor of a cash register. When reviewing the data, the cashier may be able to enter erroneous data through his keyboard, if the image is recognizable. If the cashier is near the machine and the image on the screen is not clear, the cashier can remove the document from the scanning device, inspect the document, and enter the missing data. The value could also be entered through the naming keys and other information could be entered through an alphanumeric keyboard, as will be described later, or with a mouse and application counting programs. Additionally the value could be introduced by a touch screen device or by any combination of the input means described above. The document would then be placed behind the outlet receptacle 20 and the processing would continue. In some situations, the customer could enter the value or other information concerning the unidentified documents. This capture could be through a keyboard and credit would be given to the client's account only after the document is verified by the bank's staff. In other situations the client can only place the document on top. As mentioned previously, the system has a slot for the introduction of a customer identification card. Alternatively, the customer could enter a PIN identification number through the keyboard. After the identification of the customer is determined, the client presents a document. (such as a check or withdrawal slip in a savings account) and immediate payment is made to the customer. The outlet receptacle 20 may be of a single tray as shown in Figure 1 inside which all documents transported by the transport mechanism 18 are stored. Alternatively, the outlet receptacle 20 may consist of double trays as shown in Figure le. In the case of double trays, identifiable documents are placed inside the first tray and unidentifiable documents are placed inside the second tray. Additionally, as shown in Figure lf, any number of output trays can be used to store the documents. For example, the money of particular denominations can be stored in separate trays. For example, a corresponding tray can be used to store $ 1, $ 5, $ 10, $ 20, $ 50, and $ 100 bills. As shown in Figure lg, the entire image scanning device can be used without the discrimination unit, with a single outlet receptacle. Alternatively, as shown in Figure Ih, a complete image scanning device may be used in a system, without a discrimination unit with two trays or output receptacles. Finally, as shown in Figure li, the entire image scanning device can be used in a system without a discrimination unit, in a system containing any number of output trays. The Figure represents an external perspective view, and Figure 1 is a side view of a multi-bag document processing system 5010, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. According to one embodiment, the document processing system 5010 is compact and has a height (H) of approximately 44.5 centimeters (17 1/2 inches) and a width () of approximately 34.29 centimeters (13 1/2 inches). , and a depth D) of approximately 38.10 centimeters (15 inches). The evaluation device 5010 can rest on a desk. In Figures 1 and 1, the documents are fed, one by one, from a document stack placed in an input receptacle 5012 to a transport mechanism. The transport mechanism includes a transport plate or guide plate 5240 for guiding documents to one of a plurality of outlet receptacles 5217a and 5217b. Before reaching the output receptacles 5217a, 5217b a document can be, for example, evaluated, analyzed, authenticated, discriminated, counted and / or processed in another way by a complete image scanning module. The results of the above process (s) can be used to determine to which output receptacle 5217a, 5217b a document is directed. In one mode, documents such as money tickets are transported, scanned, and identified in a proportion of more than 800 tickets or documents per minute. In another form, documents such as money bills are transported, scanned, and identified in a proportion of more than 1,000 tickets or documents per minute. In the case of money tickets, the identification includes the determination of the denomination of each ticket. The input receptacle 5012 for receiving a stack of documents to be processed is formed by downward sloping converging walls 5205 and 5206 (see Figure 1) formed by a pair of removable covers (not shown) that close under pressure on a structure. Convergent wall 5206 supports a removable hopper (not shown) including vertically positioned side walls (not shown). One embodiment of an entry receptacle is described and illustrated in greater detail in the North American Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 450,505, filed May 26, 1995, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Discriminating and Counting Documents" which is incorporated in the present as a reference in its entirety. The document processing system 5010, in Figure 1, has a touch panel display screen, 5015 in an embodiment of the present invention having appropriate "functional" keys, when appropriate. The touch screen display 5015, simplifies the operation of the document processing system 5010, of multiple bags. Alternatively or additionally, physical keys or buttons can be used. From the input receptacle 5012 the documents are moved sequentially from a bottom of the stack, along a curved guide 5211 (shown in Figure 1) that receives documents that move down and back, and that changes the direction of travel towards a forward direction. Although they are shown as fed from the bottom, the documents can be fed from the top, from the front, or from the "back of the stack." The type of feed used could be friction feed, vacuum feed, or any Another feeding method known to those skilled in the art: A withdrawal wheel 5220 (shown in Fig. 1) mounted on a take-up wheel spindle 5219 helps feed the documents to the curved guide 5211. The curvature of the guide 5211 substantially corresponds to the curved periphery of a driving roll 5223 so as to form a narrow passage for the bills, along the rear side of the driving roll 5223. An exit of the curved guide 5211 directs the documents on the plate transport 5240 that transports the documents through an evaluation section and into one of the output receptacles 5217a, 5217b. One embodiment is achieved by a pair of stacking driving wheels 5212a and 5213a for the first outgoing receptacle 5217a or upper outgoing receptacle, and by a pair of stacking wheels 5212b and 5213b for the second outgoing receptacle 5217b or second receptacle From the bottom. The stacker wheels 5212a, b and 5213a, b, are supported for rotational movement about respective shafts 5215a, b hinged in a rigid structure and driven by a motor (not shown). The flexible blades of the stacker wheels 5212a and 5213a supply the documents on a front of a stacker plate 5214a. Similarly, the flexible blades of the stacker wheels 5212b and 5213b supply the bills on a front of a stacker plate 5214b. A deviator 5260 directs the documents, either towards the first or second outlet receptacle 5217a, 5217b. When the derailleur is in a position. lower, the documents are directed towards the first output receptacle 5217a. When the diverter 5260 is in a top position, the documents proceed in the direction of the second output receptacle 5217b. Figures lj-1 depict a document processing system 5010 of. multiple bags, such as money discriminators, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 11 depicts a three-bag document processing system 5010. Figure lj depicts a four-document document processing system 5010. Figure 1 represents a document processing system 50 of six bags. The multi-bag document processing systems 5010, in Figure lj-1, have a transport mechanism that includes a transport plate or guide plate 5240 for guiding the money documents to one of a plurality of output receptacles 5217 The transport plate 5240 according to one embodiment is substantially flat and linear without protruding characteristics. Before reaching the output receptacles 5217, a document can be, for example, evaluated, analyzed, authenticated, discriminated, counted and / or otherwise processed. The multiple-document document processing systems 5010 move the documents sequentially from a bottom of the stack, along the curved guide 5211 that receives the documents by moving them down and back, and changes the travel direction to a forward direction. Although they are shown feeding from the bottom, documents can be fed from above, from the front, or from behind the pile. An exit end of the curved guide 5211 directs the documents on the transport plate 5240 which transports the documents through an evaluation section and into one of the output receptacles 5217. A plurality of deviators 5260 direct the documents towards the receptacles output 5217. When the diverter 5260 is in a lower position, the documents are directed to the corresponding output receptacle 5217. When the diverter 5260 is in a top position, the documents proceed to the direction of the remaining output receptacles. The multi-pouch document processing systems 5010 of Figure lj-1 according to one embodiment include passive rollers 5250, 5251 which are mounted on a lower side of the transport plate 5240 and are biased to make rotation contact counter with its corresponding driving rollers 5223 and 5241. Other embodiments include a plurality of follower plates that are substantially free of surface characteristics and are substantially smooth as are the transport plate 5240. The follower plates 5262 and 5278 are positioned in spaced relation to each other. to the transport plate 5240 to define between them a path for the money. In one embodiment, the follower plates 5262 and 5278 have openings only where necessary to accommodate the passive rollers 5268, 5270, 5284, and 5286. The follower plate, such as the follower plate 5262, works in conjunction with the upper portion. of the transport plate 5240 to guide a bill 5020 from the passive roller 5251 to a driven roller 5264 and then to a driven roller 5266. The passive rollers 5268, 5270 are biased by H-springs to make opposite rotation contact with the rollers corresponding items 5264 and 5266. Figure 2 illustrates the general operation of the automated document processing system. The user performs a transaction in step 10a. During the transaction step ~ 10a, the user places the documents in the input receptacle 16, the full image scanning device 12 scans a complete image of the documents, selected parts of the image are processed by the image scanner 12 ,. the discrimination and authentication unit 14 authenticates the document, and the document is placed in the output receptacle 20. During the transaction step 10a, any interaction with the staff at the head office occurs, for example, with a cashier from the bank. As previously described, the system can also include a smart card processing module, modules that accept and read all forms of magnetic and optical media, and modules that deliver smart cards and all forms of optical and magnetic media. During an transaction, an alarm condition can be generated. In step 10b, the system determines whether an alarm condition is present. If the answer is affirmative then in step 10c the system responds to the alarm condition. The response may be automatic or may require the manual action ppr part of the user. If the response is automatic, ^ the system preferably flashes a warning light, for example an external 24 Volt Alternating Current (VAC) light excited by a relay. If the required response is manual, the user is asked to perform some manual action and instructions on how to proceed can be presented to the user on a viewing screen, as described below. Alarm conditions occur when the user presses a help key; when a money dispenser empties; when more than one predetermined, programmable amount of foreign money is detected; in a system error condition; and when a tray is full. If the response for step 10b is negative at the end of step 10c, the operation continues in step lOd. After the alarm condition is analyzed or manipulated, the amount deposited in the transaction is stored in step lOd for later use. The values are preferably stored in the memory of a computer. Then, in step 10, the user or the machine distributes the quantity deposited and stored in step 10. Step 10 is also described in more detail below and may, for example, consist of receiving the amount deposited in the form of banknotes, placing it in a savings account, or receiving part of the deposit in banknotes and giving credit or depositing the deposit. rest in a bank savings account. In step lOf, the user is offered the choice to make a new transaction. If the answer is affirmative the system returns to step 10a that was described above. If the user's response is negative, then the machine stops. The entire image scanning device 12 is now described in detail. In accordance with the present invention, the image scanning device may be of the type described in US Patent No. 4,888,812 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As shown in Figure 3, the front and back surfaces of the documents are scanned by the scan heads 80 and 82 and the images are processed into video image data by the electronic circuitry. The scanning heads 80 and 82 are preferably arrays of scanning devices coupled by loading and generate a sequence of analog signals representing clear and dark images that define the image of the document. The scanning heads 80 and 82 are arranged to simultaneously scan both the front and back of the documents and are respectively connected to analog-to-digital converters 84 and 86 which convert the analog values into binary, discrete, binary gray scale values. example, 256 levels on the gray scale. The scanning heads are capable of obtaining images of varying resolutions. The particular resolution selected may be varied by the user, and is selected based on the type of document being scanned, as is known in the art. The high resolution gray scale image data from the analog-to-digital converters 84 and 86 are directed to an image data processor 88 in which data can be intensified and smoothed and used to locate the edges of successive documents and discard irrelevant data between documents. If the documents are slightly skewed, the image processor 88 may also perform the rotation of the image data to facilitate subsequent processing. The image data is inspected for unacceptable quality of the image and this is done by the image quality unit 90. For example, the image quality unit 90 inspects the distribution of the gray scale values in the image data and creates a histogram. As is well known in the art, images of acceptable quality have a distribution of gray scale values within certain prescribed limits. If the gray scale distribution of the histogram falls outside these limits, this indicates a poor quality of the image and an error condition is generated. The image data is transmitted from the quality unit 90 to the image processor 92. As is known in the art, the optical scanning devices can additionally scan fields specified on the faces of the document. For example, when processing checks, the scan head may look for the "$" symbol as a coordinate to the left of the field box for the numerical amount of the check. As is known in the art, a rectangular coordinate system or a system of dimensions is used where the. Known dimensions of the box are used to locate the field. Also, when money is scanned, the system searches for the serial numbers printed at defined locations that the image processor 92 can locate. Processor 92 can be programmed to locate fields for various types of money and perform processing as follows. Based on the exploration of certain areas found in the money or document, the processor 92 first identifies the type of money, for example, banknotes from the United States. Then, based on the result of the previous step, certain fields of interest are located - and the information is stored for use by the system. The processor 92 may also compress the image data, as is known in the art, as preparation of the transmission to an external location. The amount of data e ^ image per document may vary depending on the size and nature of the document and the efficiency of compression and data reduction for this particular document. To ensure that no data is lost in the event that the volume of image data may temporarily exceed the transfer capacity of the high-speed data channel, a pre-channel buffer 94 is interposed before the data channel, which is connected to the controller 10. The capacity of the pre-channel buffer 94 is continuously inspected by the controller 10 in such a way that it can be Take an appropriate action if the buffer becomes overloaded. The video image data, compressed, is received by the controller 10 through a high-speed data channel 96 and is initially routed to a temporary storage. The image buffer is preferably of a size capable of storing the image data from at least several batches or passes of checks or similar documents. The controller 10 in the complete image scanning device performs the data analysis functions. Alternatively, as discussed above, the analysis of the data may occur at the computer 15 of the head office or on a personal computer 11 connected to the system. The personal computer or alternate media can be used to create images of documents that are electronic images only, - - "without scanning the documents. For example, the EJ3GE system of Cummins-Allison Corporation could be used. In a system like that, the computer's computer program electronically creates an image of a document such as a check. A special printer (not shown) is connected to the system _ to print documents with special fields such as magnetic ink fields. A plurality of document processing systems may be connected in a "cube and ray" network architecture as is known in the art. To prevent congestion, the image buffer in each document processing system stores data until it is removed by the central office computer or by the external accounting system. When they are withdrawn, the data is uploaded to the central office computer or the accounting system. Other modules and scanning methods can be used in place of or in addition to the particular described above. These include systems with CCD arrays, multi-cell arrays, and other well-known scanning techniques. Examples of these techniques and devices are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,023,782; U.S. Patent No. 5,237,158; U.S. Patent No. 5,187,750; and US Patent No. 4,205,780 all of which are incorporated in their entirety as a reference. *. The scanning module may also be a color image scanning device such as the type described in U.S. Patent No. 5,335,292 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The discrimination and authentication unit may contain a single-head or multi-head scanning device. Before explaining that multi-head scanning device, the operation of a scanning device having a single scanning head is first described. In particular, a money discrimination system adapted for North American money is described in relation to Figures 4a-4d. Subsequently, modifications to that discrimination and authentication unit will be described to obtain a money discrimination and authentication unit in accordance with the present invention. Furthermore, although the modalities of the discrimination and authentication unit described below relate to the scanning of money notes, the discrimination and authentication unit of the present invention can be applied to other documents. For example, the system of the present invention can be used in conjunction with stock certificates, checks, vouchers, and postal and food stamps, and other documents of financial institutions. Referring now to Figure 4a, a functional block diagram illustrating a money discrimination unit having a single scanning head is shown. The unit 910 includes a bill accepting station 912 where stacks of money bills are placed that need to be identified and counted and this is done by the transport mechanism. The accepted tickets are moved by a bill separation station 914 which operates to lift or separate a ticket at a time to be sequentially placed again by a bill transport mechanism 916, in accordance with a precisely determined transport route, to through the scanning head 918 where the denomination of the bill is scanned and identified. The scanning head 918 is an optical scanning head that scans the characteristic information of a scanned note 917 that is used to identify the denomination of the bill. The scanned ticket 917 is then transported to a money stacking station 920 where the processed banknotes are stacked for subsequent removal. The optical scanning head 918 of Figure 4a comprises at least one light source 922 which directs a coherent light beam down and over the bill transport path, in order to illuminate a substantially rectangular light strip 924 on a banknote. 917 money placed on the route of the. transport below the scan head 918. The reflected light from the illuminated strip 924 is detected by a photodetector 926 which is located directly above the strip. The analog output of the photodetector 926 is converted into a digital signal by an analog-to-digital converter unit 928 (ADC) whose output is fed as a digital input to a central processing unit (CPU) 930. Although the scanning head 918 of Figure 4a is an optical scanning head, it should be understood that it may be designed to detect a variety of information characteristic of money bills. Additionally, the scanning head may employ a variety of detection means such as magnetic, optical, electrical, electrical conductivity, and capacitive sensors. The use of these sensors is discussed in more detail, later, with reference to Figure 15. Referring again to Figure 4a, the route for the transportation of bills is defined in a manner such that the transport mechanism 916 moves the bills of money and a narrow dimension of the bills is parallel to the transport route and the direction of exploration. Alternatively, the 910 system may be designed to scan banknotes along its long dimension or along a skewed dimension. As a bill 917 moves over the transport path on the scanning head 918, the coherent light strip 924 effectively scans the bill through the narrow dimension of the bill. As depicted, the transport route is arranged in such a way that a money bill 917 is scanned by the scanning head 918 approximately around the central section of the bill, along its narrow dimension, as shown in the Figure 4a. The scanning head 918 functions to detect the reflected light of the bill as it moves through the illuminated light strip 924 and to provide an analog representation of the variation in reflected light which, in turn, represents the variation in the content. dark and clear of the printed pattern or marks that are on the surface of the bill. This variation in the light reflected from the scan of the narrow dimension of the notes, serves as a measure to distinguish, with a high degree of reliability, among a plurality of denominations of money that the discrimination unit of this invention is programmed to handle. A series of those detected reflectance signals are obtained through the narrow dimension of the bill, or through a segment selected therefrom, and the resulting analog signals are digitized under the control of the CPU 930 to produce a fixed number of bill samples. Reflectance data, digital. The data samples are then subjected to a digitization process which includes a normalization routine for the processing of the sampled data to achieve an improved correlation and to smooth the variations due to the contrast fluctuations in the existing printed pattern on the surface of the ticket. The standardized reflectance data, thus digitized, represents a characteristic pattern that is completely unique for a given denomination of note and provides sufficient distinctive characteristics between characteristic patterns for different denominations of money. This process is explained more fully in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07 / 885,648, filed May 19, 1992, now issued as U.S. Patent No. 5,295,196 for a "Method and Apparatus for Discrimination and Money Counting. ", which is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. To ensure a strict correspondence between the reflectance samples obtained by scanning in the narrow dimension of successive bills, the start of the reflectance sampling process is preferably controlled through the CPU 930 by an optical encoder 932 which is attached to the mechanism 916 and precisely tracks the physical movement of the bill 917 through the scanning head 918. More specifically, the optical encoder 932 is linked to the rotary motion of the motor * r drive that generates the movement imparted to the bill as it is placed back along the transport route. In addition, the mechanical components of the feeding mechanism (not shown, see US Patent No. 5,295,196 to which reference was made above) ensure that positive contact is maintained between the ticket and the transport route, particularly when the ticket is being transported. Under these conditions, the optical encoder 932 is able to accurately track the movement of the bill 917 relative to the light strip 924 generated by the scanning head 918 by inspecting the rotational movement of the driving motor. The output of the photodetector 926 is inspected by the CPU 930 to initially detect the presence of the bill located under the scan head 918 and, subsequently, detecting the starting point of the printed pattern that is on the bill, as represented by the thin border line 917A that typically encloses the printed marks on the money bills. Once edge line 917A has been detected, optical encoder 932 is used to control the synchronization and numbers of reflectance samples that are obtained from the output of photodetector 926 as bill 917 moves through -ia 918 scanning head and is scanned along its narrow dimension. The use of the optical encoder 932 to control the sampling process in relation to the physical movement of a bill 917 through the scanning head 918 is also advantageous because the encoder 932 can be used to provide a predetermined delay after the detection of the edge line, before starting the samples. The delay of the encoder can be adjusted in such a way that the ticket 917 is scanned only through those segments, along its narrow dimension, which contain the most distinctive printed marks relative to the different denominations of money. In the case of North American money, for example, it has been determined that the central portion, approximately 5 cm (approximately two inches) of the money bills, as scanned through the central section of the narrow dimension of the bill, provides sufficient data to distinguish between different denominations of American money, based on the correlation technique described in US Patent No. 5,295,196 referred to above. Accordingly, the optical encoder can be used to control the scanning process such that the reflectance samples are taken for a set period of time and only after a certain period of time has elapsed since the edge line is detected. 917A, thereby restricting scanning to the desired central portion of the narrow dimension of the bill. Figures 4b to 4d illustrate the scanning process of the scanning head 920 in greater detail. Referring to Figure 4b, as a bill 917 is advanced in a direction parallel to the narrow edges of the bill, scanning through a wide slot in the scan head 918 is effected along a segment S of the central portion of the bill 917. This segment S begins at a fixed distance D towards the edge line 917A. As the bill 917 crosses the scanning head 918, a band S of the segment S is always illuminated, and the photodetector 926 produces a continuous output signal that is proportional to the intensity of the light reflected from the illuminated band at any time dice. This output is sampled at intervals controlled by the encoder, such that the sampling intervals are precisely synchronized with the movement of the banknote through the scanning head 918. As illustrated in Figures 4b and 4d, it is preferred that the Sampling intervals are selected such that the stripes s that are illuminated by successive samples, overlap each other. The odd numbered sample strips and even numbered pairs have been separated in Figures 4b and 4d to more clearly illustrate this overlap. For example, the first and second strips si and s2 overlap each other, the second and third strips s2 and s3 overlap one another and so on. Each adjacent pair of stripes overlap each other. For North American money this is achieved by sampling strips that have a width of 0.127 cm (0.050 inches) at 0.074 cm (0.029 inch) intervals, along a S segment that has a length of 4.65 cm (1.83 inches) (64 samples) ). The technique of optical detection and correlation is based on the use of the previous process, to generate a series of stored intensity signal patterns, using genuine notes for each denomination of money to be detected. In accordance with one embodiment, two or four sets of master current signal samples are generated, and stored within the system memory, preferably in the form of an EPROM 934 (see Figure 4a), for each denomination of money detectable The sets of samples of master intensity signals, for each bill, are generated from optical scans performed on the green surface of the bill and taken along both the "forward" and "reverse" directions relative to the pattern printed on the ticket. Alternatively, the optical scan can be performed on the dark side of the American money bills or on each of the banknote surfaces of other countries. Additionally, optical scanning can be performed on both sides of a bill, for example, by placing a scanning head on each side of the bill transport path, as described in greater detail in the North American Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 207,592 filed March 8, 1994, for a "Method and Apparatus for Money Discrimination", now issued as US Patent No. 5,467,406, and incorporated herein by reference. To adapt this technique to American money, for example, sets of samples of stored intensity signals are generated and stored for seven different denominations of North American money, ie $ 1, $ 2, $ 5, $ 10, $ 20, $ 50, and $ 100 for notes that they produce significant pattern changes when they move slightly to the left or to the right, such as the $ 2 bills and $ 10 in American money, it is preferred to store two patterns for each of the directions, "forward" and "reverse" and each pair of patterns for the same direction represent two scanning areas that are slightly offset from one another along the long dimension of the bill. Accordingly, a set of number of different characteristic patterns, masters, is stored within the memory of the system for purposes of subsequent correlation. Once the master patterns have been stored, the pattern generated by the scan of a banknote under analysis, is compared by the CPU 930 with each of the master patterns of the stored intensity signal samples, to generate, for each comparison , a correlation number representing the degree of correlation, ie, the similarity between the corresponding samples of the plurality of data samples, for the data sets being compared. In the case of checks, the system compares the signature found in the image, with a stored master signature or with an 'account number. The CPU 930 is programmed to identify the denomination of the scanned ticket, which corresponds to the set of samples of stored intensity signals, for which it is found that the correlation number resulting from the comparison with the pattern is the highest. To avoid the possibility of mischaracterizing the denomination of a scanned ticket, as well as to reduce the possibility of false notes being identified as belonging to a valid denomination, a two-level correlation threshold is used as the basis for an identification "positive". That method is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,295,196 to which reference was made above. If a positive identification can not be made for a scanned ticket, an error signal is generated. By using the previous detection and correlation approach, the CPU 930 is programmed to count the number of banknotes belonging to a particular money denomination, as part of a given set of banknotes, that has been scanned for a batch of. given exploration and to determine the total sum of the amount of money represented by the banknotes explored during an exploration lot. The CPU 930 is also connected to a 936 output unit (Figure 4a) which is adapted to provide a display of the number of counted bills, the decomposition of the bills in terms of money denomination, and the total sum of the value of the money represented by the counted bills. The output unit 936 may also be adapted to provide an impression of the presented information, in a desired format. A method for screening banknotes and generating characteristic patterns is described in US Patent No. 5,295,196 to which reference was made above and which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, and in the co-pending US Patent Application Serial No. 08. / 243,807, filed on May 16, 1994 and entitled "Method and Apparatus for Money Discrimination". The optical detection and correlation technique described in US Pat. No. 5,295,196 allows the identification of previously programmed money denominations with a high degree of accuracy and based on a relatively short processing time to digitize the sampled reflectance values and compare them with the characteristic master patterns. The approximation is used to explore money notes, to normalize the explored data and generate master patterns in such a way that the explorations of money during operation, have a direct correspondence between the sample points compared, in portions of the notes that They have the most distinctive printed marks. A relatively low number of reflectance samples is required to be able to properly distinguish between various denominations of money. Now that a single scanning head money scanning device has already been described in relation to the exploration of American money, a money discrimination unit according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. In particular, a discrimination unit that can accommodate banknotes, checks, or any financial institution document of non-uniform size and / or color will be described. First of all, because money comes in a variety of sizes, sensors are added to determine the size of a ticket that is to be scanned. These sensors are placed upstream of the scanning heads which will be described later. One mode of size determination sensors are illustrated in Figure 4e. Two front / rear edge sensors 962 detect the leading and trailing edges of a 964 bill as it passes through the transport path. These sensors, in conjunction with the encoder 932 (Figure '4a) can be used to determine the dimension of the bill along a direction parallel to the scan direction which in Figure 4e is the narrow dimension (or width) of the bill. ticket 964. Additionally two sensors 966 of the side edges are used, to determine the dimension of a banknote 964 transverse to the scanning dimension which in Figure 4e is the wide dimension (or length) of the banknote 964. Although the sensors 962 and 966 of Figure 4e are optical sensors, any means can be used to determine the size of a bill. Once the size of a ticket is determined, the potential identity of the ticket is limited to those bills that are the same size. Therefore, the area to be explored can be adjusted to the area or areas that are best suited to identify the denomination and country of origin of a ticket having the dimensions measured. Second, although the marks printed on the American currency are enclosed within a thin border line, the detection of which can serve to activate the start of exploration using a wider slit, most "coins of other systems monetary conditions such as those of other countries, they do not have that edge line. Thus, the system described above can be modified to start scanning relative to the edge of a bill for coins lacking that edge line. With reference to Figure 4f, two front edge detectors 968 are shown. The detection of the leading edge 969 of a bill 970 by the sensors 968 for leading edge, activates scanning in an area, at a given distance, removed from the leading edge of the bill 970, for example, D or D2, which may vary depending on the preliminary indication of the identity of a ticket, based on the dimensions of a ticket. Alternatively, the leading edge 969 of a bill can be detected by one or more scan heads (which will be described later). Alternatively, the start of the scan can be triggered by the position information provided by the encoder 932 of Figure 4a, for example, in conjunction with the signals provided by the sensors 962 of Figure 4e, thus eliminating the need for the sensors 968 for front edge. However, when the start of the scan is triggered by the detection of the leading edge of a bill, the opportunity for a scanned pattern to be traversed relative to a corresponding master pattern increases. Offsets can result from the existence of manufacturing tolerances that allow the location of the printed markings of a document to vary in relation to the edges of the document. For example, marks printed on US bills can vary from the leading edge of a bill up to 1.27 mm (50 thousandths of an inch, or 0.05 inches). Thus, when the scan is activated in relation to the edge of a bill (instead of detecting a certain part of the same printed marks, such as the printed border line of the American banknotes), a scanned pattern may be traversed. a corresponding master pattern for one or more samples. These shifts can lead to erroneous rejections of genuine notes due to the poor correlation between the explored patterns and the master patterns. To compensate for this, global explored patterns and master patterns can be displaced relative to each other as illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b. More particularly, Figure 5a illustrates a scanned pattern that is traversed by a corresponding master pattern. Figure 5b illustrates the same patterns after the scanned path is traversed relative to the master pattern, whereby the correlation between the two patterns increases. Alternatively, instead of traversing either the scanned patterns or the master patterns, the master patterns can be stored in the memory corresponding to different amounts traveled. Third, although it has been determined that the exploration of the central area on the green side of a North American note (see segment S of Figure 4c) provides sufficiently different patterns to allow discrimination between the plurality of North American denominations of notes, the central area may not be suitable for tickets from other countries. For example, for banknotes from Country 1, it can be determined that the Sx segment (Figure 4f) provides a more preferred area to be explored, while segment S2 (Figure 4f) is more preferable for notes from Country 2. Alternatively, to discriminate sufficiently between the given sets of banknotes, it may be necessary to explore banknotes that are potentially of that set, along more than one segment, that is, to explore a single bill along Sx and S2. To accommodate exploration in areas other than the central portion of a banknote, multiple scan heads can be placed close to each other. One embodiment of one of these multi-head scanning systems is depicted in Figure 6. Multiple scanning heads 972a-c and 972d-f are positioned close to one another along a lateral direction to the direction of movement of the bill . That system allows a 974 ticket to be scanned along different segments. Multiple scan heads 972a-f are placed on each side of the transport path, thus allowing both sides of a 974 banknote to be scanned. Scanning can be used on both sides to allow bills to be fed into a banknote. money discrimination unit according to the present invention with each side facing upwards. An example of an array of scanning heads on both sides is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 08 / 207,592, filed March 8, 1994 and issued as U.S. Patent No. 5,467,406 and incorporated herein by reference. . The master patterns generated by the genuine banknote scan can be stored for segments on one or both sides. In the case where master patterns are stored from the scan on only one side of a genuine note, patterns retrieved by scanning both sides of a note under analysis can be compared to a master set of master patterns by a only side. In this case, a pattern recovered from one side of a banknote under analysis must match one of the stored master patterns, while a pattern recovered from the other side of the banknote under analysis should not coincide with one of the master patterns. Alternatively, master patterns can be stored for both sides of genuine notes. In that system on both sides, a pattern recovered by scanning one side of a banknote under analysis, must match one of the master patterns on one side (Comparative 1) and a pattern recovered from the scan on the opposite side of a banknote under analysis, it must match the master pattern associated with the opposite side of a genuine ticket identified by Comparative 1. Alternatively, in situations where the orientation of the face of a note (ie, whether a note is " face up "or" face down ") can be determined before or during the exploration of the characteristic pattern, the number of comparisons can be reduced by limiting the comparisons to the patterns that correspond to the same side of a note. That is, for example, when a ticket is known to be "face up", the explored patterns, associated with the scan heads that are above the transport route, need only be compared with the master patterns generated by the scan of the "face" of the genuine banknotes. By "face" of a bill, it means a side that is designed as the front surface of the bill. For example, the front or "face" of an American banknote may be designed as the "black" surface while the back of an American banknote may be designed as the "green" surface. The orientation of the face can be determined in some situations by detecting the color of the surfaces of a bill. An alternative method to determine the orientation of the face of American banknotes, detecting the edge line that is on each side of a belt, is described in US Patent No. 5,467,406. The implementation of color detection is discussed in more detail later. In accordance with the embodiment of Figure 6, the bill transport mechanism operates in such a way that the central area C of a bill 974 is transported between the central scanning heads 972b and 972e. The scanning heads 972a and 972c and likewise the scanning heads 972d and 972f are displaced at the same distance from the central scanning heads 972b and 972e, respectively. By symmetrically arranging the scan heads around the central region of a banknote, a banknote can be scanned in any direction, for example, first the leading edge (forward direction) or first the leading edge (reverse direction). As described above with respect to Figure 4a, the master patterns are stored from the scanning of genuine notes in both forward and reverse directions. Although a symmetric arrangement is preferred, it is not essential if one considers that the appropriate master patterns are stored for a non-symmetric system. Although Figure 6 illustrates a system having three scanning heads per side, any number of scanning heads per side can be used. Likewise, it is not necessary to find a scan head placed on the central region of a bill. For example, Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention capable of scanning segments Sj_ and S2 of Figure 4f. Scan heads 976a, 976d, 976e, and 976h scan a banknote 978 along segment Sx while scan heads 976b, 976c, 976f, and 976g scan segments S2. Figure 8 depicts another embodiment of a scanning system in accordance with the present invention, having laterally movable scanning heads 980a-b. Similar scan heads can be found placed on the opposite side of the transport route. The mobile scanning heads 980a-b can be provided with more flexibility than can be desired in certain scanning situations. In determining the dimensions of a bill as described in relation to Figure 4e, a preliminary determination of the identity of a bill can be made. Based on this preliminary determination, the mobile scanning heads 980a-b can be placed over the area of the ticket that is most appropriate for retrieving the discrimination information. For example, if it is based on the size of a banknote explored, it is preliminarily determined that the banknote is a type of Japanese currency of 5,000 yen, and if it has been determined that a characteristic pattern suitable for a type of 5,000-yen banknote is obtained by scanning a segment 2.0 cm to the left of the center of the bill, fed in the forward direction, the scan heads, 980a and 980b can be placed properly to scan that segment, for example, the scan head 980a placed 2.0 cm to the left of the center and the exploration head 980b placed 2.0 cm to the right of the center. That placement allows for appropriate discrimination regardless of whether the explored note is being fed in the forward direction or in the opposite direction. Likewise, the scanning heads on the opposite side of the transport route (not shown) could be properly positioned. Alternatively, a single mobile scan head can be used on one or both sides of the transport path. In that system, the size and color information (which will be described in more detail later) can be used to properly position a single laterally mobile scanning head, especially where the orientation of a bill can be determined before the scan. Figure 8 depicts a unit in which the transport mechanism is designed to deliver a bill 982 to be scanned centered within the area in which the scan heads 980a-b are located. Accordingly, the scanning heads 980a-b are designed to move relative to the center of the transport path where the scanning head 980a can be moved within the range R1 and the scanning head 980b can be moved within the range R2 . Figure 9 represents another embodiment of a scanning system in accordance with the present invention, wherein the bills to be scanned are transported in a justified way to the left, along the transport route, ie where the left edge L of a bill 984 is placed in the same lateral location in relation to the transport route. Based on the dimensions of the bill, the position of the center of the bill can be determined and the scanning heads 986a-b can in turn be also placed. As shown in Figure 9, the scanning head 986a has a range of movement R3 and the scanning head 986b has a range of movement R4. The movement intervals of the scanning heads 986a-b can be influenced by the range of banknote dimensions accommodated by the discrimination unit according to its design. Similar scan heads can be placed on the opposite side of the transport route. Alternatively, the transport mechanism may be designed such that the scanned bills are not necessarily centered or justified along the lateral dimension of the transport route. Rather, the design of the transport mechanism may allow the position of the bills to vary to the left and to the right within the lateral dimension of the transport route. In that case, the edge sensors 966, of Figure 4e, can be used to locate the edges and center of a bill, and thus provide the position information in a mobile scan head system and the selection criteria in a Stationary exploration head system. In addition to the stationary scanning head and mobile scanning head systems, described above, a hybrid system having both scanning heads, both stationary and mobile, can be used. Likewise, it should be noted that the laterally displacing scanning heads, described above, need not be along the same lateral axis. That is, the scanning heads may be, for example, staggered upstream and downstream, one from the other. Figure 10 is a plan view of a stepped array of scanning heads in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 10, a bill 130 is transported in a centered manner along the transport route 132 in such a way that the center 134 of the bill 130 is aligned with the center 136 of the transport route 132. scan heads 140a-h are positioned in a stepped manner so as to allow scanning of the entire width of transport path 132. Areas illuminated by each scan head are illustrated by strips 142a, 142b, 142e, and 142f pair the scanning heads 140a, 140b, 140e, and 140f, respectively. Based on the size determination sensors, the scanning heads 140a and 140h may either not be activated or ignore their output. In general, if prior to the scanning of a document, some preliminary information about a document, such as its size or color, can be obtained, the stationary scan heads, appropriately placed, can be activated or the scan heads moved. laterally they can be placed appropriately as long as the preliminary information provides some indication as the potential identity of the document. Alternativelyespecially in systems that have scan heads placed above a significant portion of the transport path, many or all of the scanning heads of a system can be activated to scan a document. Then, subsequently, after a certain preliminary determination has been made as to the ticket identity, it can be used, to generate scanned patterns, only the output or derivations thereof, of properly located scanning heads. The derivations of the output signals include, for example, data samples stored in the memory, generated by sampling the output signals. Under this alternative modality, the information that allows a preliminary determination as to the identity of the document, "can be obtained by analyzing the information, either from separate sensors of the scanning heads or from one or more of the scanning heads themselves. One advantage of these preliminary determinations is that the number of explored patterns that have to be generated or compared with a set of master patterns is reduced, and the number of master patterns with which the explored patterns have to be compared can be reduced. Also, although the scanning heads 140a-h of Figure 10 are accommodated in a non-overlapped manner, they may alternatively be accommodated in an overlapped manner.When providing additional side positions, an array of overlapping scan heads may provide May selectivity in the segments that are going to be explored, this increase in the segments that can explore can be beneficial to compensate the tolerances in the manufacture of money, which result in variations of the position of the marks printed on the bills, in relation to their edges. Additionally, in one embodiment, the scanning heads positioned above the transport route are placed upstream relative to their corresponding scanning heads positioned below the transport route. In addition to the size and characteristic patterns explored, color can also be used to discriminate notes. For example, although all North American notes are printed in the same colors, for example one green side and one black side, the notes of other countries often vary in color with the ticket denomination. For example, a German ticket of the type of 50 frames has a brown color, while a German bill of the type of 100 marks is blue. Alternatively, the color detection can be used to determine the orientation of the face of a bill, such as where the color of each side of a bill varies. For example, color detection can be used to determine the orientation of the North American banknote face, by detecting whether the "green" side of an American banknote is oriented upward or not. Color sensors can be added, separated, upstream of the scanning heads described above. In accordance with that embodiment, the color information may be used, in addition to the size information, to preliminarily identify a ticket. Similarly, color information can be used to determine the orientation of the face of a bill and that determination can be used to select the top or bottom scan heads to scan a bill or to compare the scanned patterns recovered from the heads Higher scanning heads, with a set of master patterns generated by scanning a corresponding face, while the scanned patterns, recovered from the lower scan heads, are compared to a set of master patterns generated by scanning an opposite face. Alternatively, color detection can be incorporated into the scan heads described above. That color detection can be achieved, for example, incorporating color filters, color light sources, and / or dichroic beam splitters, in the money discrimination unit of the present invention. Various techniques for acquiring color information are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,841,358; 4,658,289; 4, 716, 456;, 4, 825, 246; and 4,992,860. The operation of the money discrimination unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, can be further understood by reference to the flow diagram of Figures 11 and 11b. In the process that begins in step 100, a bill is fed along the transport route (step 102) through sensors that measure the length and width of a bill (step 104). These size determining sensors can be, for example, those illustrated in Figure 4e. Then, in step 106, it is determined whether the measured dimensions of the bill agree with the dimensions of at least one bill stored in the memory, such as EPROM 960 of Figure 4e. If no match is found, an appropriate error is generated in step 108. If a match is found, the color of the bill is scanned in step 110. In step 112 it is determined whether the color of the bill coincides with a color associated with the bill. a genuine bill having the dimensions measured in step 104. If that match is not found, an error is generated in step 114. However, if a match is found, a preliminary set of bills is generated, in step 116. potentially coincidental Often, there will only be one possible identity for a ticket that has a given color and dimensions. However, the preliminary set of step 116 is not limited to the identification of a single type of ticket, i.e., a specific denomination of a specific money system; rather, the preliminary set may comprise a number of potential ticket types. For example, all North American notes have the same size and color. Therefore, the preliminary set generated by the exploration of a US $ 5 bill will include North American bills of all denominations. Based on the preliminary set (step 116), selected scanning heads can be activated (step 118) in a system of stationary scan heads. For example, if the preliminary identification indicates that a banknote being explored has the smell and dimensions of a German bill of DM 100, the scanning heads located throughout the regions associated with the exploration of a banknote will be activated. appropriate segment for a German 100-mark bill. Then, by detecting the leading edge of the bill, by sensors 968 of Figure 4f, the appropriate segment can be scanned. Alternatively, all scan heads may be active only with the scan information of the selected scan heads of the process. Alternatively, based on the preliminary identification of a bill (step 116), the mobile scan heads may be appropriately positioned (step 118). Subsequently, the bill is scanned for a characteristic (step 120). In step 122, the scanned patterns, produced by the scan heads, are compared to the stored master patterns and associated with genuine notes as dictated by the preliminary set. By making only comparisons with the master banknote patterns within the preliminary set, the processing time can be reduced. Thus, for example, if the preliminary set indicated that the banknote explored could only be a 100-mark German note, then only the patterns or masters associated with a 100-mark German note need to be compared with the explored patterns. If no match is found, an appropriate error is generated (step 124). If a scanned pattern does not match an appropriate master pattern, the ticket identity is indicated (step 126) and the process ends (step 128). Although some of the modalities discussed above involve a unit capable of identifying a plurality of ticket types, the system can be adapted to identify a low test ticket, which pertains to either a specific type of ticket or not. For example, the unit may be adapted to store master information associated only with a single type of ticket such as a £ 5 bill from the United Kingdom. That system would identify bills under analysis that were £ 5 bills from the United Kingdom and would reject all other ticket types. The scan heads of the present invention can be incorporated into the unit and can be used to identify a variety of documents that include money and documents from financial institutions such as checks, deposit slips, coupons and food stamps. For example, the unit may be designed to accommodate a certain number of coins from different countries. That unit can be designed to allow operation in a number of ways. For example, the unit may be designed to allow an operator to select one or more types of banknotes among a plurality, which accommodates the system according to its design. These selections can be used to limit the number of master patterns with which the explored patterns are to be compared. Likewise, the operator may allow to select the manner in which the tickets will be fed, such as for example all the bills face up, all the bills with the top edge first, a random orientation of the faces, and / or a random orientation of the upper edge. Additionally, the unit may be designed to allow the output information to be presented in a variety of formats to a variety of peripheral devices, such as an inspection device, an LCD display screen, or a printer. For example, the unit may be designed to count the number of each of the specific note types identified and tabulate the total amount of money counted for each of one of a plurality of money systems. For example, a stack of bills could be placed at the bill accepting station 912 of Figure 4a, and the outgoing unit 936 of Figure 4a could indicate that a total of 370 British pounds and 650 German marks were counted. Alternatively, the output of each scan of the same batch of bills can provide more detailed information about the specific denominations counted, for example a £ 100 bill, five £ 50 bills, and a £ 20 bill - and thirteen bills of 50 German marks. Figure 12 shows a block diagram of a counterfeit detector 212. A microprocessor 212 controls the overall operation of the counterfeit detector 210. It should be noted that the detailed construction of a mechanism for transporting documents through the detector 210. of forgery, is not related to the practice of the present invention. In the prior art many configurations are known. An exemplary configuration includes an arrangement of pulleys and rubber belts driven by a single engine. An encoder 214 can be used to provide input to the microprocessor 212 based on the position of a motor shaft 216 that operates the mechanism. e transport of tickets. The input ^ from the encoder 214 allows the microprocessor to calculate the position of a document as it travels, and determine the synchronization of the operations of the counterfeit detector 210. A document stack (not shown) can be deposited in a hopper 218 that safely stores the documents and allows the documents in the stack to be transported one at a time, through the counterfeit detector 210. After the documents are transported into the counterfeit detector 210, a portion of the document is optically scanned by an optical sensor 220 of the type commonly known in the art. The optical sensor generates signals that correspond to the amount of light reflected by a small portion of the document. The signals from the optical sensor 220 are sent to an amplifier circuit 222, which in turn sends an output to an analog-to-digital converter 224. The output of the ADC is read by the microprocessor 212. The microprocessor 212 stores each data element of the optical sensor 220 in a range of memory locations in one. random access memory ("RAM") 226, forming a set of image data corresponding to the scanned object. As the document continues its journey through the counterfeiting detector 210 it is passed in a position adjacent to a magnetic sensor 228 which detects the presence of magnetic ink. The magnetic sensor 228 desirably performs a plurality of measurements along a path parallel to an edge of the document being examined. For example, the path detected by the magnetic sensor 228 may be parallel to the shorter edges of the document and substantially across the center of the document. The output signal from the magnetic sensor 228 is amplified by an amplifier circuit 230 and digitized by the ADC 224. The digital value of each data point measured by the magnetic sensor 228 is read by the microprocessor 212 after which it is stored in a memory range in the RAM 226. The magnetic sensor 228 is capable of reading and identifying all types of magnetic ink. For example, sensor 228 can read "low dispersion" magnetic inks written on checks. The "low dispersion" magnetic ink is magnetic ink mixed with colored ink and used to print the background of the checks as well as the name and address information found on the check. The digitized magnetic data can be manipulated mathematically to simplify its use. For example, the value of all data points can be summed to produce a checksum that can be used for subsequent comparison with expected values, calculated from samples of genuine documents. As will be apparent, calculation of a checksum for the subsequent comparison eliminates the need to take into account the orientation of the document with respect to the magnetic sensor 228. This is true because the checksum represents the concentration of magnetic ink at through the entire route scanned by the magnetic sensor 228, regardless of the variations caused by higher concentrations in certain regions of the document. The image data stored in the RAM 226 is compared by the microprocessor 212 with the standard image data stored in a read-only memory ("ROM") 232. The stored image data corresponds to the optical data generated from genuine documents such as money from a plurality of denominations. The ROM image data can represent several orientations of the genuine money to take into account the possibility that a document in the stack is in an inverted orientation compared to other documents that are in the stack. If the image data generated by the document being evaluated does not fall within an acceptable limit of any of the images stored in the ROM, it is determined that the document is of an unknown denomination. The machine stops to allow the removal of the document from the money stack. If the image data of the document being evaluated corresponds to one of the images stored in the ROM 232, the microprocessor 212 compares the checksum of the magnetic data with one of a plurality of expected checksum values stored in the ROM. 232-. An expected value of checksum is stored for each denomination that is counted. The value of each expected check sum is determined, for example, by averaging the magnetic data of a number of genuine samples of each denomination of interest. If the measured value of the sum of. check is within a predetermined range of the expected checksum, the document is considered genuine. If the checksum is not within the acceptable range, the operator is signaled that the document is suspect and that the operation of the counterfeiting detector 210 should be stopped to allow its removal. If the document passes both the optical evaluation and the magnetic evaluation, it leaves the counterfeiting detector 210, towards a stacker 234. In addition, the counterfeiting detector 210 may desirably include -the ability to maintain a cumulative total of genuine documents, eg, money of each denomination. It should be noted that the magnetic check sum is compared only with the expected checksum for a single denomination (ie, the denomination indicated by the optical data comparison). For example, the only way a ticket can be classified as genuine is if its magnetic checksum is within an acceptable range for its specific denomination. For a counterfeit bill to be considered genuine by the counterfeiting detector of the present invention, it will have to be within an acceptable range in the optical discrimination check of the denomination and have a magnetic ink distribution within an acceptable range for its specific denomination. To summarize the operation of the unit, a stack of documents, eg bills or checks, is fed by the transport mechanism (item 18 in Figure la) to the hopper 218. Each document is transported adjacent to the optical sensor 220 on the which generates image data corresponding to one side of the document. The document is also scanned by the magnetic sensor 228 and a plurality of data points corresponding to the - Presence of magnetic ink are recorded by the microprocessor 212. A check sum is generated by adding the total of all the magnetic data points. The image data generated by the optical sensor 220 is compared to the stored images, for example, images corresponding to a plurality of money denominations. When certain predetermined information, such as the denomination of the ticket being evaluated, has been determined, the check sum is compared with a stored checksum corresponding to a genuine ticket of that denomination. The microprocessor 212 generates a signal indicating that the document is genuine or false, depending on whether the data is within a predetermined range of the expected value. The documents leave the counterfeiting detector 210 and are accumulated in the stacker 234. FIG. 13 is a flow chart of an exemplary discrimination unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In step 236, the presence of a bill approaching the optical sensor 220 is detected by the microprocessor 212 which initiates an optical scanning operation 238. The image data generated by the optical scanning operation is stored in the RAM 226 The number of optical samples taken is not critical to the operation of the present invention, but the probability of an accurate classification of the denomination of a bill increases as the number of samples increases. In step 240 the microprocessor 212 initiates the magnetic scanning operation. The data points' obtained by the magnetic scanning operation can be stored in the RAM 226 and summed with each other to produce a checksum, as shown in step 244. Alternatively, the checksum can be calculated by maintaining an accumulated total of the magnetic data values by the sum of each newly acquired value, with the previous total. As with the optical scanning operation, the number of measured data points is not essential but the opportunities to identify exactly a false bill, based on the concentration of magnetic ink, is improved as the number of samples increases. . In step 242 the microprocessor determines the denomination of the bill by comparing the image data with a plurality of known images, each of which corresponds to a specific denomination of money. The ticket is identified as belonging to the denomination corresponding to one of the known exploration patterns, if the correlation between the two is within an acceptable range. In step 246, the checksum resulting from the sum of the magnetic data points is compared with an expected value for a genuine bill of the denomination identified by comparing the image data with the stored data.

The expected value can be determined in a variety of ways. One method is to empirically measure the concentration of magnetic ink on a sample of genuine notes and average the measured concentrations. Another method is to program the microprocessor to periodically update the expected value, based on magnetic data measurements of the bills evaluated by the counterfeit detector, in a certain period of time. If the check sum of the bill being evaluated is within the predetermined range of the expected value, the bill is considered to be genuine. Otherwise, the ticket is considered false. As will be evident, the choice of an acceptable variation of the expected checksum determines the sensitivity of the counterfeit detector. If the selected interval is too narrow, the possibility that a genuine ticket is classified as false is increased. On the other hand, the possibility that a counterfeit bill is classified as genuine, it increases if the acceptable range is too wide. Figure 14 is a graphical representation of the magnetic data points generated by both a genuine pre-1996 series of hundred-dollar bills (solid line) and a one-hundred dollar fake bill (dashed line). As mentioned previously, banknotes are desirably scanned along a route that is parallel to one of their short edges. The graph shown in Figure 14 shows magnetic data obtained by scanning a route that passes approximately through the center of the bill. The measurements in the region designated "a" correspond to the area that is on the top of the bill. The area designated "b" corresponds to the central region of the ticket and the region designated "c" corresponds to the bottom of the ticket. Magnetic measurements for the genuine note are relatively high in region a, due to the high concentration of magnetic ink near the top of the note. The concentration of magnetic ink in region b is relatively small and the concentration in region c is generally between the concentrations of regions a and c. It should be noted that the concentration of magnetic ink in a typical counterfeit bill is uniformly low. Thus, the sum of all the data points for a counterfeit bill is, in general, significantly lower than for a genuine bill. However, as counterfeiting techniques become more sophisticated, the correlation between genuine and counterfeit notes has improved. The unit described above increases the chances of identifying a fake ticket, because the denomination of a ticket evaluated, is determined before the evaluation of the authenticity of the ticket. The check sum of the banknote being evaluated is compared only to the expected check sum for a banknote of that denomination. The process of identifying the denomination of the ticket, before its evaluation regarding its authenticity, minimizes the -opportunity that a "good" forgery generates a check sum indicative of a genuine ticket of any denomination. Referring now to Figure 15, there is shown a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a discrimination and authentication unit similar to that shown in Figure 4a but illustrating the presence of a second detector. The discrimination and authentication unit 250 includes a bill acceptance station 252 where stacks of money bills are placed which need to be identified, authenticated and counted. The accepted tickets are handled by a station 254 for the separation of bills, which functions to select or separate a ticket, at the same time as to be sequentially placed again by a mechanism for the transport of bills 256, according to a route of precisely predetermined transportation, through two scanning heads 260 and 262 where the denomination of the ticket is identified and where the authenticity of the ticket is authenticated. In the modality represented, the head of 9.7 Scan 260 is an optical scan head that explores a first type of info-xmation characteristic of a scanned note 257 that is used to identify the denomination of the bill. The second scanning head 262 explores a second type of information characteristic of a scanned note 257. Although the scanning heads 260 and 262 of the illustrated mode are separate and distinct, it is understood that these may be incorporated in a single scan head. For example, where the first characteristic detected is the intensity of the reflected light and the second detected characteristic is the color, se. it may employ a single optical scanning head having a plurality of detectors, one or more without filters and one or more with color filters (U.S. Patent No. 4,992,860 incorporated herein by reference). The scanned ticket is then transported to a station 264 for the stacking of banknotes where the processed banknotes are stacked for subsequent removal. The optical scanning head 260 of the embodiment shown in Figure 15 comprises at least one light source 266 which directs a coherent beam of light downwards and over the route or transport of bills to illuminate a substantially rectangular luminous strip 258 on a banknote of money 257 placed on the transport path and below the scanning head 260. The reflected light of the illuminated strip 258 is detected by a photodetector 268 placed directly above the strip. The analog output of the photodetector 268 is converted into a digital signal by an analog-to-digital converter unit 270 (ADC) whose output is fed as a digital input to a central processing unit (CPU) 272. The second scan head 262 comprises at least one detector 274 for detecting a second type of information characteristic of a bill. The analog output of the detector 274 is converted into a digital signal by a second analog-to-digital converter 276 whose output is also fed as a digital input to the central processing unit (CPU) 272. Although the scan head 260 in the mode of Figure 15 is an optical scanning head, it should be understood that the first and second scanning heads 260 and 262 may be designed to detect a variety of information characteristic of money bills. Additionally, these scanning heads may employ a variety of detection means such as magnetic or optical sensors. For example, a variety of money characteristics can be measured using magnetic detection. These include the detection of patterns of magnetic flux changes (U.S. Patent No. 3,280,974), vertical grid lines patterns in the bill portrait area (U.S. Patent No. 3,870,629), the presence of a security strip. { US Patent No. 5,151,607), the amount of magnetizable material of a banknote "(US Patent No. 4,617,458), magnetic field force detection patterns along a banknote (US Patent No. 4,593,184), and others patterns and counts of the exploration of different portions of the bill, such as the area in which the denomination is written (US Patent No. 4,356,473) With respect to optical detection, a variety of money characteristics such as density detection (US Patent No. 4,381,447), color (US Patents Numbers 4,490,846; 3,496,370; 3,480,785), length and thickness (US Patent No. 4,255,651), the presence of a security strip (US Patent No. 5,151,607) and holes (US Patent No. 4,281,447), and other patterns of reflectance and transmission (U.S. Patent No. 3,496,370; 3,679,314; 0.629; 4,179,685). Color detection techniques may employ color filters, color lamps, and / or dichroic beam splitters (US Patent Numbers 4,841,258).; 4,658,289; 4,716,456; 4,825,246; 4,992,860 and EP 325,364). An optical detection system using ultraviolet light is described in co-pending US Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 317,349, filed October 4, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference, and described later. In addition to magnetic and optical detection, other techniques to detect money characteristic information include the detection of electrical conductivity, capacitive detection (US Patent No. 5,122,754 [watermark, safety strip], 3,764,899 [thickness], 3,815,021 [dielectric properties]; 5,151,607 ([security strip]), and mechanical detection (US Patent No. 4,381,447 [flaccidity]; 4,255,651 [thickness]). Referring again to Figure 15, the bill transport path is defined in such a way that the transport mechanism 256 moves the money bills with the narrow dimension of the bills parallel to the transport route and the scanning direction.Alternatively, the system 250 may be designed to scan banknotes along its length. long dimension or along a skewed dimension As a 257 bill moves over the transport route and over the head of the sentence 260, the coherent light strip 258 effectively explores the bill through the narrow dimension of the bill. In the embodiment shown, the transport route is arranged in such a way that a money bill 257 is scanned by the scanning head 260 approximately around the central section of the bill and along its narrow dimension, as shown in FIG. Figure 15. The scan head 260 operates to detect the reflected light of the bill as it moves through the illuminated light strip 258 and to provide an analog representation of the variation of the reflected light which, in accordance with FIG. in turn, represents the variation in the dark and clear content of the pattern printed marks on the surface of the bill. This variation in the light reflected from the scan in the narrow dimension of the bills, serves as a measure to distinguish, with a high degree of reliability, among a plurality of denominations of money that the discrimination and authentication unit of this invention is programmed. to manipulate. A series of those detected reflectance signals is obtained through the narrow dimension of the bill, or through a selected segment thereof, and the resulting analog signals are digitized under the control of the CPU 272 to produce a fixed number of data samples. of digital reflectance. The data samples are then subjected to a digitization process that includes a normalization routine to process the sampled data for improved correlation and to smooth out variations due to fluctuations in the "contrast" in the existing printed pattern on the surface of the ticket. The standardized, digitized reflectance data represents a. characteristic pattern that ea. "quite unique for a given denomination of bill and provides sufficient distinctive characteristics among the characteristic patterns for different denominations of money. This process is explained more fully in the application of US Patent Serial No. 07 / 885,648 filed May 19, 1992, now issued as US Patent No. 5,295,196 for "Method and Apparatus for Discrimination and Counting of Money" , which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In order to ensure the strict correspondence between the reflectance samples obtained by scanning in the narrow dimension, of successive notes, the start of the reflectance sampling process is preferably controlled through the CPU 272 by an optical encoder 278 which is connected to the bill transport mechanism 256 and precisely tracks the physical movement of bill 257 through scan heads 260 and 262. More specifically, the optical encoder is connected to the rotary movement of the driving motor that generates the movement imparted to the bill as it is passed along the transport route. In addition, mechanisms of the feeding mechanism (not shown, see US Patent No. 5,295,196 referred to above) ensures that positive contact between the ticket and the transport route is maintained, particularly when the ticket is scanned. by the scanning heads 260 and 262. Under these conditions, the optical encoder 278 is able to accurately track the movement of the bill 257 relative to the light strip 258 generated by the scanning head 260 by inspection of the rotary movement of the driving motor. . The output of the photodetector 268 is inspected by the CPU 272 to initially detect the presence of the note below the scan head 260 and, subsequently, to detect the starting point of the pattern printed on the note, as represented by the thin border line 257a that typically encloses the printed marks on the money bills. Once edge line 257a has been detected, optical encoder 278 is used to control the timing and number of reflectance samples that are obtained from the output of photodetector 268 as bill 257 moves through the head of exploration 260 and is explored along its narrow dimension. The detection of edge line 257a serves as an absolute reference point for the start of sampling. If the edge of a banknote is to be used as a reference point, the relative displacement of the sampling points may occur due to the random manner in which the distance from the edge to the edge line 257a varies from banknote to banknote, at relatively large tolerance intervals, allowed during the printing and cutting of money bills. As a result, it becomes difficult to establish direct correspondence between sampling points in successive banknote scans and the efficiency of the discrimination is adversely affected. Modalities that activate the edge of the bill are discussed above, for example, in relation to Figures 5a and 5b. The use of the optical encoder 278 to control the sampling process in relation to the physical movement of a bill 257 through the scanning head 260 is also advantageous because the encoder 278 can be used to provide a predetermined delay after detection of the edge line, the start of the samples. The delay of the encoder can be adjusted in such a way that the ticket 257 is scanned only through those segments along its narrow dimension containing the most distinctive printed marks, relative to the different denominations of money. The technique of optical detection and correlation is similar to those described in relation to Figure 4a and the description made in relation to Figure 4a is applicable to Figure 5.

As a result of the first comparison described above, based on the inflection of the intensity of the reflected light, recovered by the scan head 260, the CPU 272 will have, either determined the denomination of the scanned ticket 257 or determined that the first samples of scanned signals fail to sufficiently correlate other sets of samples of intensity signals, stored, in which case an error is generated. Assuming that an error has not been generated as a result of this first comparison based on the characteristics of the intensity of the reflected light, a second comparison is made. This second comparison is made on the basis of a second type of characteristic information, such as alternative properties of reflected light, similar properties of light reflected in alternating locations of a banknote, properties of light transmissivity, various magnetic properties of a banknote, the presence of a security strip embedded within a banknote, the color of a banknote, the thickness or other dimension of a banknote, etc. The second type of characteristic information is recovered from a scanned banknote, by means of the second scanning head 262. Exploration and processing by part of the scanning head 262 can be controlled in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the head of exploration 260.

In addition to the first stored characteristic information sets, in this example the signal samples, of stored intensity, the EPROM 280 stores - sets of second stored characteristic information, for genuine notes of different denominations that the 'System 250 is able to manipulate. Based on the denomination indicated by the first comparison, the CPU 272 recovers the set or sets of second stored characteristic data, for a genuine ticket of the indicated denomination and compares the retrieved information with the second explored characteristic information. If there is sufficient correlation between the information retrieved and the information scanned, the CPU 272 verifies the authenticity of the scanned banknote 257. Otherwise, the CPU generates an error. Although the embodiment illustrated in Figure 15 represents a single CPU 272 for making comparisons of the first and second characteristic information and a single EPROM 280 for storing the first and second characteristic information, it is understood that two or more CPUs and / or CPUs could be used. EPROM, including a CPU to perform the comparisons of the first characteristic information and a second CPU to perform the comparisons of the second characteristic information. Using the previous detection and correlation approach, the. CPU 272 is programmed to count the number of banknotes belonging to a particular money denomination whose authenticity has been verified as part of a given set of banknotes that have been explored for a given exploration lot, and to determine the cumulative total of the banknote. amount of money represented by the bills explored during an exploration lot. The CPU 272 is also connected to an output unit 282 which is adapted to provide a visual display of the number of genuine counted banknotes, the breakdown of the banknotes in terms of denomination, and the cumulative total of the cash value represented by the counted banknotes. . The output unit 282 may also be adapted to provide an impression of the presented information, in a desired format. The interrelation between the use of the first and second type of characteristic information can be seen by considering Figures 16a and 16b which comprise a flow diagram illustrating the sequence of operations involved in the implementation of a discrimination and authentication unit in accordance with a embodiment of the present invention. At the beginning of the sequences of operations (step 288), the reflected light intensity information is recovered from a scanned ticket (step 290). Similarly, the second characteristic information of the scanned ticket is also recovered (step 292). The error flags in the naming and error of the second characteristics are erased (steps 293 and 294). Then, the intensity information scanned is compared to each set of stored intensity information corresponding to genuine notes of all denominations accommodated by the system (step 298) according to its program. For each denomination, a correlation number is calculated. Then the system, based on the calculated correlation numbers, determines either the denomination of the scanned ticket or generates a naming error, placing the naming error indicator (steps 300 and 302). In the case where the denomination error indicator is placed (step 302), the process ends (step 312). Alternatively, if based on this first comparison, the system is able to determine the denomination of the scanned ticket, and the system proceeds to compare the information of the second scanned characteristic with the information of the second stored characteristic, corresponding to the denomination determined by the first comparison (step 304). For example, if as a result of the first comparison it is determined that the scanned ticket is a $ 20 bill, the second scanned characteristic information is compared to the second stored characteristic information, corresponding to a genuine $ 20 bill. In this way, the system does not need to make a comparison with the second characteristic information stored for the other denominations that the system is programmed to accommodate. If it is based on this second comparison (step 304) it • determines that the second characteristic information scanned does not sufficiently match the second stored characteristic information (step 306), then an error is generated in the second characteristic by placing the error flag of the second characteristic (step 308) and the process ends ( step 312). If the second comparison results in a sufficient match between the second scanned and stored characteristic information (step 306), then the denomination of the scanned ticket is indicated (step 310) and the process is completed (step 312).

Table 1 Designation Sensitivity 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 $ 1 200 2 25500 3 30000 3 37755 450 $ 2 100 1 12255 1 15500 2 22255 300 $ 5 200 2 25500 3 30000 3 35500 400 $ 10 100 1 12255 1 15500 2 20000 250 $ 20 120 1 15500 1 18800 2 27700 360 $ 50 200 2 25500 3 30000 3 37755 450 $ 100 100 1 12255 1 15500 2 25500 350 Considering Table 1 you can see an example of "an interrelation between the -.- authentication based on a first and a second characteristic Table 1 represents the threshold values of the total, relative magnetic content for various denominations of genuine notes Columns 1-5 represent varying degrees of sensitivity that can be selected by a user of a device employing the present invention. The values in Table 1 are based on the exploration of genuine banknotes of variable denominations, for the total magnetic content and threshold values required and adjusted, based on the degree of sensitivity selected. The information in Table 1 is based on the total magnetic content of a genuine $ 1 bill where the value is < 1,000 The following discussion is based on a sensitivity setting of 4. In this example it is assumed that the magnetic content represents the second feature analyzed. If the comparison of the first characteristic information, such as the intensity of the reflected light, of a scanned ticket, and the stored information corresponds to genuine notes, the result is an indication that the scanned ticket is of a denomination of $ 10, then the total magnetic content of the scanned ticket is compared to the threshold value of the total magnetic content of a genuine $ 10 bill, that is, 200. If the magnetic content of the scanned bill is less than 200, the bill is rejected. Otherwise it is accepted as a $ 10 bill. ... According to another feature of the present invention, the bending or overlapping of bills in the transport system is detected by the provision of a pair of optical sensors that are collinearly placed, one opposite -on the other, within the area of the scanning head, along a line that is perpendicular to the direction of the banknote flow, that is, parallel to the edge of the banknotes under analysis, along its wide dimensions, as the banknotes are transported to through the optical scan head. The pair of optical sensors Si and S2 (not shown) are colinearly placed within the area of the scanning head in close parallelism with the edges of the wide dimension of the bills under analysis, incoming. In effect, the optical sensors SI and S2 (having corresponding light sources and photodetectors - not shown) are positioned opposite one another, along a line within the area of the scanning head that is perpendicular to the direction of flow of tickets. These sensors SI and S2 serve as second detectors to detect the second characteristic information, ie the density. Although not illustrated in the drawings, it should be noted that the corresponding photodetectors (not shown) are provided within the area of the scanning head in immediate opposition to the corresponding light sources and below the planar section of the transport path. These detectors detect the coherent light beam directed downwards and on the bill transport path, from the light sources corresponding to the sensors SI and S2 and generate an analog output that corresponds to the detected light. Each of these outputs is converted into a digital signal through a conventional ADC converter unit (not shown) whose output is powered as a digital input to the system CPU (not shown) and processed by it, in a similar to that indicated in the arrangement of Figure 15. The presence of a ticket passing under the sensors SI and S2 causes a change in the intensity of the detected light, and the corresponding change in the analog output of The detectors, serves as a convenient means for density-based measurements, to detect the presence of "doubles" (two or more bills overlapped or overlapped) during the process of recognition and counting money. For example, the sensors can be used to collect a predefined number of density measurements on a note under analysis, and the average density value for a note can be compared to predetermined density threshold values (based, for example, on readings). of standardized density for master bills) to determine the presence of overlapping or double bills. The above sensors and the doubles detection technique is described in greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,295,196 which is incorporated herein by reference. A routine for using the outputs of the two sensors SI and S2 to determine any doubling or overlapping of bills is illustrated in Figure 17. This routine uses a determination of the denomination of a bill based on the first characteristic information to modernize the detection of doubles where the second characteristic information corresponds to the density of the bills explored. This routine starts when the denomination of a scanned ticket has been determined through the comparison information of the first characteristic information in step 401, as previously described. To allow variations in the sensitivity of the density measurement a "density adjustment selection" is retrieved from the memory, in step 402. The operator makes this selection manually, according to whether the notes being scanned are banknotes new ones, which require a higher degree of sensitivity, or used tickets, which require a lower level of sensitivity. After the "density adjustment selection" has been recovered, the system then proceeds through a series of steps that establish a density comparison value according to the ticket denomination. Thus, * step 403 determines whether the bill has been identified as a $ 20 bill, and if the answer is affirmative, the comparison value of the bill's density of $ 20 is recovered from the memory in step 404. A negative answer at step 443 advances the system to step 405 to determine whether the bill has been identified as a $ 100 bill and if the answer is yes, the comparison value of the bill's density of $ 100 is recovered from the memory in step 406. A negative response in step 405 advances the system to step 407 where a general value of density comparison, for all denominations of remaining notes, is retrieved from memory. In step 408, the comparison value of the density recovered in step 404, 406 and 407 is compared to the average density represented by the output of the SI sensor. The result of this comparison is evaluated in step 49 to determine whether the SI sensor output identifies a duplication of the notes for the particular ticket denomination determined in step 401. If 'the answer is negative, the system returns to the main program . If the answer is affirmative, step 410 then compares the comparison value of the density, recovered, with the average density represented by the output of the second sensor S2. The result of this comparison is evaluated in step 411 to determine whether the output of the '* sensor S2 identifies a duplication of notes. Affirmative responses in both step 409 and step 411 result in the placement of an "error by duplication" indicator, and the system then returns to the main program. The above doubles detection routine is described in greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,295,196 which is incorporated herein by reference. Although the routine described above uses the second characteristic information (density) to detect doubles, the above routine can be modified to authenticate notes based on their density, for example in a manner similar to that described in relation to the Table 1. Referring now to Figures 18a-18c, a side view of a discrimination and authentication unit mode according to the present invention is shown, a top view of the embodiment of Figure 18a along address 18B. , and a top view of the embodiment of Figure 18a along the direction 18C, respectively. An ultraviolet ("UV") light source 422 illuminates a document 424. Depending on the characteristics of the document, the ultraviolet light may be reflected from the document and / or fluorescent light may be emitted from the document. A detection system 426 is positioned to receive any light reflected or emitted thereto, but not to receive any * UV light directly from the light source 422. The detection system 426 comprises a UV sensor 428, a fluorescence sensor 430. , filters, and a plastic housing. The light source 422 and the detection system 426 are both counted to a printed circuit board 432. The document 424 is transported in the direction indicated by the arrow A by a transport system (not shown). The document is transported through a transport plate 434 having a rectangular opening 436 thereon, to allow light to pass to and from the document. In one embodiment of the present invention, the rectangular opening 436 is 3,493 cm (1,375 inches) by 0.953 cm (0.375 inches). To minimize the accumulation of dust on the light source 422 and on the detection system 426 and to prevent document jams, the opening 436 is covered with an acrylic window 438 transmitting the transparent UV light. To further reduce dust accumulation, the UV light source 422 and the detection system 426 are completely enclosed within a housing (not shown) containing the transport plate 434. Referring now to Figure 19, there is shown a functional block diagram illustrating a modality of a discrimination and authentication unit in accordance with the present invention. Figure 19 shows a UV sensor 442, a fluorescence sensor "44, and filters 446, 448 of a detection system such as the detection system 426 of Figure 4. The light of the document passes through the filters 446, 448 before colliding with sensors 442, 444, respectively, an ultraviolet filter 446 filters out visible light and allows UV light to be transmitted and therefore to collide with UV sensor 442. Similarly, a visible light filter 448 filters UV light and allows visible light to be transmitted and therefore to collide with fluorescence sensor 444. Accordingly, UV light having a wavelength below 400 nm is prevented from hitting the fluorescence sensor 444 and visible light, having a wavelength greater than 400 nm, is prevented from colliding with the UV sensor 442. In one embodiment the UV filter 446 transmits light having a wavelength between about 260 nm and about 380 nm and has a transmit maximum age at 360 nm. In one embodiment, the visible light filter 448 is a blue filter and preferably transmits light having a wavelength between about 415 nm and about 620 nm and having a maximum transmittance at 450 nm. The preferred preferred blue filter comprises a combination of a blue component filter and a yellow component filter. The blue component filter transmits light having a wavelength between about 320 nm and about 620 nm and has a maximum transmittance at 450 nm. The filter, yellow component transmits light that has a length of. wave - between about 415 nm and about 2,800 nm. Examples of suitable filters are the UGl (UV filter), the 'BG23 (blue band pass filter, and the GG420 (yellow long pass filter), all manufactured by Schott In one embodiment the filters have a diameter of approximately 8 mm and a thickness of approximately 1.5 mm. UV 442 emits an analog signal proportional to the amount of light incident on it and this signal is amplified by amplifier 450 and fed to a microcontroller 452. Similarly, fluorescence sensor 444 emits an analog signal proportional to the amount of incident light on it, and this signal is amplified by the amplifier 454 and fed to a microcontroller 452. The analog-to-digital converters 456 that are inside the microcontroller 452 convert the signals of the amplifiers 450, 454 to digital and these digital signals are processed by the computer programs of the microcontroller 452. The UV sensor 442 can be, for example, a photodiode intensified by ultraviolet light. ta, sensitive to light having a wavelength of about 360 nm and the fluorescence sensor 444 may be a photodiode intensified by blue light, sensitive to light having a wavelength of about 450 nm. These photodiodes are available, for example, in Advanced Photonix, Inc., Massachusetts. The microcontroller 452 can be, for example, a Motorola 68HC16. The exact characteristics of the sensors 442, 444 and filters 446, 448 including the wavelength transmittance ranges of the previous filters, are not as critical as preventing the fluorescence sensor from generating an output signal in response in ultraviolet light and that the ultraviolet sensor generates an output signal in response to visible light. ' For example, instead of, or in addition to, the filters, an authentication system in accordance with the present invention can employ a non-sensitive ultraviolet sensor, having a wavelength greater than 400 nm and / or a sensor of fluorescence that is not sensitive to light having a wavelength shorter than 400 nm. The calibration potentiometers 458, 460 allow the gains of the amplifiers 450, 454 to be adjusted to the appropriate levels. The calibration can be performed by placing a piece of white fluorescent paper on the transport plate 434 in such a way as to completely cover the rectangular opening 436 of Figure 4a. The potentiometers 458, 460 can then be adjusted in such a way that the output of the amplifiers 450, 454 is 5 volts. Alternatively, the calibration can be done using genuine money such as a piece of genuine American money. The potentiometers 458 and 460 can be replaced with electronic potentiometers located, for example, within the microcontroller 452. These electronic potentiometers can allow automatic calibration based on the processing of a single genuine document or a plurality of documents as will be described later. The implementation of a modality of a discrimination and authentication unit in accordance with the present invention will now be described as illustrated in Figure 19 with respect to North American currency authentication. As discussed above, it has been determined that the genuine money of the United States reflects a high level of ultraviolet light and does not fluoresce under ultraviolet illumination. It has also been determined that under UV illumination, United States counterfeit money exhibits one of the four sets of features listed below: 1) Reflects a low level of ultraviolet light and produces fluorescence; 2) Reflects a low level of ultraviolet light and does not fluoresce; 3) Reflects a high level of ultraviolet light and produces fluorescence; 4) Reflects a high level of ultraviolet light and does not produce fluorescence.

The counterfeit banknotes of categories (1) and (2) can be detected by a money authenticator employing an ultraviolet light reflection test in accordance with a method of the present invention. The fake banknotes of category (3) can be detected by a money authenticator employing both an ultraviolet reflection test and a fluorescence test, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Only the fakes of category (4) are not detected by the authentication methods of the present invention. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the fluorescence is determined by a signal that is above the minimum noise level. Thus, the fluorescent, amplified sensor signal 462 will be about 0 volts for genuine American money and will vary between about 0 and 5 volts for counterfeit bills, depending on its fluorescent characteristics. Accordingly, an authentication system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention will reject bills when the signal 462 exceeds approximately 0 volts. According to one embodiment of the discrimination unit, a high level of reflected UV light ("high UV") is indicated when the amplified UV sensor signal 464 is above a predetermined um value. He . High / low UV threshold value is a function of lamp intensity and reflectance. The intensity of the lamp can be degraded as much as 50% during the life of the lamp and can be further attenuated by the accumulation of dust on the lamp and the sensors. The problem of dust accumulation is mitigated by enclosing the lamp and sensors in a housing such as the one discussed above. An authentication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention tracks the intensity of the UV light source and therefore adjusts the high / low threshold value. The degradation of the light source can be compensated by periodically feeding a genuine ticket to the system, sampling the output of the UV sensor and adjusting the threshold value. Alternatively, the degradation can be compensated by periodically sampling the output of the UV sensor when a bill is not present in the rectangular opening 436 of the transport plate 434. It is noted that a certain amount of UV light is always reflected from the acrylic window 438. By periodically sampling the output of the UV sensor when there is no bill present, the system can compensate for the degradation of the light source. In addition, that sampling could also be used to indicate to the operator of the system when a source of ultraviolet light has been burned or that otherwise requires replacement. This can be achieved, for example, by reading using the display screen, or by means of an illuminated LED ("LED"). The signal 464 of the amplified ultraviolet sensor will initially vary between 1.0 and 5.0 volts depending on the UV reflectance characteristics of the document being scanned and will be dragged slowly downward as the light source degrades. In an alternative embodiment where the threshold level is adjusted as the light source degrades, sampling of the UV sensor output can be used to adjust the gain of the amplifier 450 thereby maintaining the output of the amplifier 450 at its initial levels . It has been found that the ratio of voltages between counterfeit and genuine US notes varies from a discernible ratio of 2 to 1 to a non-discernible relationship. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a ratio of 2 to 1 is used to discriminate between genuine and false notes. For example, if a genuine North American bill generates a signal 464 from the amplified, 4.0 volt UV output sensor, the documents that generate a signal 464 of the UV output sensor, amplified, of 2.0 volts or less, will be rejected as false. As described above, this 2.0 volt threshold can either be decreased as the light source is degraded or the gain of the amplifier 450 can be adjusted such that 2.0 volts continues to be an appropriate threshold value. The determination of whether the level of UV light reflected from a document is high or low is made by sampling the UV sensor output at a certain number of intervals, averaging the readings, and comparing the average level with the predetermined high / low threshold value. . Alternatively, a comparison can be made by measuring the amount of UV light reflected in a number of locations on the bill and comparing these measurements with those obtained from genuine bills. Alternatively, the output of one or more UV sensors can be processed to generate one or more patterns of reflected UV light and these patterns can be compared with the patterns generated by the gene banknotes. That technique of generating a pattern and comparison can be carried out by modifying an optical pattern technique such as that described in US Patent No. 5,295,196 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety or in US Patent Application No. Series 08 / 287,882 filed on August 9, 1994 for a "Method and Apparatus for Identification of Documents", incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The presence of fluorescence can be performed by sampling the fluorescence sensor output at a number of intervals. However, in one modality, a bill is rejected as a fake US currency if any of the sampled exits is raised above the minimum noise level. However, the alternative methods discussed above with respect to signal processing or signals from a UV sensor or sensors may also be employed, especially with respect to money from other Countries or from other types of documents that may employ certain security features. Locations or patterns of fluorescent materials. The present invention may include means, such as a display screen, to indicate to the operator the reasons why a document has been rejected, for example, messages such as "UV FAULT" or "FLUORESCENCE FAILURE". The present invention may also allow the operator to selectively select activation or deactivation, either from the UV reflection test or from the fluorescence test, or both. A money authentication system in accordance with the present invention may also be provided with means for adjusting the sensitivities of the UV reflection and / or fluorescence test, for example, by adjusting the respective threshold values. For example, in the case of North American money, a system in accordance with the present invention can allow the high / low threshold value to be adjusted, for example, either in terms of the absolute voltage or in terms of the genuine / suspect relationship. The UV and fluorescence authentication test can be incorporated in various document handlers such as money counters and / or money denomination discriminators, such as those described in relation to Figure 15 and US Patent No. 5,295,196 incorporated in the document. present as a reference in its entirety. Similarly, the magnetic authentication tests described above can also be incorporated into those counters and / or discriminators. In those systems the calibration can be done by processing a stack of genuine documents. Now an example of a calibration method of one of these devices will be discussed. As mentioned above, the 438 acrylic window reflects a certain amount of UV light even when there is no ticket. The quantity is measured of UV light reflected in the absence of bills. Then a stack of genuine notes can be processed with the potentiometer 458 set to a certain arbitrary value and averaging the resulting UV readings. The difference between the averaged reading and the reading made in the absence of notes can be calculated later. The potentiometer 458 can then be adjusted in such a way that the average reading is at least 0.7 volts greater than the reading without notes. It is also desirable to adjust the potentiometer 458 in such a way that the amplifier 450 works about half of its operating range. For example, if a 1.0 volt reading was true when no bills are present, and an average reading of 3.0 volts results when processing a stack of genuine bills, the resulting difference is 2.0 volts which is greater than 0.7 volts. However, it is desirable that the amplifier is working in the range of approximately 2.0 to 2.5 volts and preferably to an approximate value of 2.0 volts. Thus, in the previous example, the potentiometer 458 can be used to adjust the gain of the amplifier 450 in such a way that an average reading of 2.0 volts would result, where the potentiometer 458 is an electronic potentiometer, the gain of the amplifier 450 can be adjusted automatically by the microcontroller 452. In general, when the average reading is too high, the potentiometer is adjusted to decrease the resulting values toward the center of the amplifier's operating range and vice versa when the average reading is too low. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the operator is provided with a document processing system with a capacity to adjust the sensitivity of a UV reflection test, a fluorescence test, and a magnetic test. For example, a bill counter embodying an embodiment of the present invention can provide the operator with the ability to adjust authentication tests up to a high or low sensitivity. For example, the bill counter may be provided with an adjustment mode that allows the operator to adjust the sensitivities for each of the above tests, for both high and low modes. This can be achieved through the presentation of appropriate messages, for example, on screen 282 of Figure 15 and the introduction of selections through an input device such as a keyboard or buttons. In one modality the device allows the operator to adjust the UV test, the fluorescent test, and the magnetic test in a range of sensitivities from 1 to 7, where 7 is the most sensitive, or turn off each test. The device allows to adjust the sensitivity as described above for the three authentication tests, both for the low sensitivity mode (low denomination) and for the high sensitivity mode (high denomination). The options for previous adjustments are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2 Sensitivity Mode Sensitivity Test Sensitivity UV Test Fluorescent Magnetic High off, 1-7 off, 1-7 off, 1-7 Low off, 1-7 off, 1-7 off, 1-7 In accordance with an alternative mode, the above high / low modes are * replaced with denomination mode, for example, one for each of several money denominations (for example, $ 1, $ 2, $ 5, $ 10, $ 20, $ 50, and $ 100). For each denomination the sensitivity of the three tests can be adjusted between 1 and 7 or off. In accordance with a modality, the operator selects "manually either the high or low mode or the appropriate denomination mode based on the values of the notes to be processed." This selection system in manual mode can be used, example, either in a banknote counter or a money naming discrimination.According to another modality, the document processing system automatically selects, either the high or low mode or the appropriate denomination mode, based on the banknote values to be processed This automatic selection system can be used in systems capable of identifying different values or types of documents, for example, a denominator of money denomination. for low denomination modes (for example, $ 1, $ 2) all three tests can be set at relatively low sensitivities (for example, the UV test can be adjusted to 2, the fluorescent test can be adjusted to 5, and the magnetic test can be adjusted to 3). Conversely, in high mode or for high denomination modes (for example * $ 50, $ 100) all three tests can be performed. adjust to relatively high sensitivities (for example, the UV test can be adjusted to 5, the fluorescent test can be adjusted to 6, and the magnetic test can be adjusted to 7). In this way, the sensitivity of the authentication can be increased when processing high value notes, where the danger or potential risk in not detecting a counterfeit can be greater, and can be diminished when processing low value notes where the danger or potential risk in not detecting a counterfeit is minor and the inconvenience of incorrectly rejecting genuine notes is greater. Also, the UV, fluorescent, and / or magnetic characteristics of genuine notes can vary due to a number of factors such as wear and tear or because the note has been washed (for example, with detergents). As a result, fluorescent detection of genuine American money, for example, can produce readings of approximately 0.05 or 0.06 volts. The UV and fluorescent threshold values, associated with each of the seven sensitivity levels, can be adjusted, for example, as shown in Table 3.

Table 3 UV Test Level Test Fluorescent ensibility (Volts) (Volts) 1 0.2 0.7 2 0.3 0.6 3 0.4 0.5 4 0.5 0.3 5 0.55 0.2 6 0.6 0.15 7 0.7 0.1 In performing the UV test in accordance with one embodiment, the reflectance value without notes is subtracted from the resultant UV reflectance voltages associated with the scanning of a particular note, and this difference is compared against the appropriate threshold value such as those which they are shown in Table 3, to determine if a ticket is rejected or not. In accordance with one embodiment, the potentiometer 460 associated with the fluorescence detector 204 is calibrated by processing a genuine note banknote or stack, as described above in relation to the UV detector calibration, and is adjusted in such a way which results in a reading close to 0 volts (for example, approximately 0.1 volts). Magnetic calibration can be performed, for example, manually in conjunction with the processing of a genuine bill of known magnetic characteristics and the adjustment of the magnetic sensor near the center of its range. When a ticket fails in one or more of the previous tests, an appropriate error message such as "U-Suspicious Document" may be presented visually for the failure of the UV reflection test, "Document -F- Suspicious" for the failure of the fluorescent test, "Document-Suspicious" for the failure of the magnetic test, or some combination thereof when more than one test is failed (for example, "UF-Suspicious Document" for the failure of both the UV reflection test and the fluorescent test). New security features have been added to the US money that starts with the $ 100 bills of the 1996 series. Subsequently, similar characteristics will be added to other denominations of American money such as the $ 50 bill, the $ 20 bill, etc. Some of the new security features include the incorporation of security strips that emit fluorescence under ultraviolet light. For example, the security strips on the $ 100 bills of the 1996 series emit a red glow when illuminated with ultraviolet light. The color of the light illuminated by the security strips under the ultraviolet light will vary according to the denomination, for example, the $ 100 bills emit red light and the $ 50 bills emit, for example, blue light or purple light. >; %. Additionally, the location within the ticket can be used as a security feature. For example, the security strips on all $ 100 bills are located in the same position. In addition, the location of the security strips in other denominations will be the same by denomination and will vary between several denominations. For example, the location of the security strips on the $ 10, $ 20, $ 50, and $ 100 bills may be different in all. Alternatively, the location may be the same on the $ 20 and $ 100 bills but different from the location of the security strips on the $ 50 bills. The ultraviolet system described above with respect to Figures 18 and 19 can be modified to take advantage of this feature. Referring to Figure 20, a bill 330 is shown indicating three possible locations 332a-332c for security strips in bills genuine, depending on the denomination of the ticket. The fluorescent light detectors 334a-334c are positioned above the possible acceptable locations of the fluorescent security strips. In systems designed to accept bills fed either in the forward or the reverse direction, identical detectors are placed on top of the same locations on each half of the bill. For example, sensors 334c are located at a distance d5 to the left and right of center * of bill 330. Similarly sensors 334b are positioned at a distance d6 to the left and right of the center of bill 330 while sensors 334a are placed at a distance d7 to the left and right of the center of the ticket 330. Additional sensors can be added to cover possible additional locations of the strips. These sensors can be designed to detect a particular color of light, depending on its location. For example, the location 332b corresponds to the location of the security strips on the genuine $ 100 notes and the location 332c corresponds to the location of the security strips on the genuine $ 50 notes. In addition, if the security strips on the $ 100 bills emit red light under the excitement of ultraviolet light, and the security strips on the $ 50 bills emit blue light under the excitation of the ultraviolet light, the sensor 334b may be particularly designed to detect red light and the 334c sensor can be designed to detect blue light. These sensors can use filters that pass the red and blue light, respectively, and that at the same time hide the light of other frequencies. Accordingly, for example, sensor 334b will respond to a security strip located at site 332b that emits red light under the excitation of ultraviolet light, but will not respond to a security strip at site 332b that emits blue light. - * The sensors 334a-334c may include separate sources of ultraviolet light or one or more separate ultraviolet light sources, and may be provided to illuminate the ticket or portions of the ticket, either on the same side of the ticket where they are located. the sensors p on the opposite side of the bill. These sensors can be positioned along the same axis, or alternatively, they can be staggered upstream and downstream relative to one another. These sensors can be placed all on the same side of the bill or some on one side of the bill and some others on the other. Alternatively, for one or more locations -332a-332c the sensors can be placed on both sides of the bill. This double-sided mode would be beneficial to detect fakes made by applying an appropriate fluorescent material on the surface of a bill. Alternatively, a combination of normal illumination and ultraviolet illumination may be employed, but at different times to detect the presence of a colored line applied to the surface of a note visible in normal illumination. According to that mode, the color strip would not be detected under normal illumination and a color strip, appropriate, in an appropriate position, should be detected under illumination. ultraviolet. Additionally, the authentication technique described above with respect to Figures 18 and 19 may be employed in areas where fluorescent security strips may not have been placed, for example, near the center of the bill, such that fluorescent light detection would indicate a. false bill, as would be indicated by the absence of a high level of reflected ultraviolet light. Alternatively or additionally, sensors may be used to detect banknotes or security strips printed or coated with thermochromic materials (materials that change color with a change in temperature). Examples of strips incorporating thermochromic materials are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,465,301 incorporated herein by reference. For example, a security strip may appear with a color at room temperature under the transmitted light, and may appear with a second color or appear colorless at or above the activation temperature, or vice versa. Alternatively, the tickets can be printed and / or coated with these thermochromic materials. These tickets may or may not include security strips and any included security strip may or may not also be printed or coated with thermochromatic materials. To detect the proper characteristics of banknotes containing these thermochromatic materials and / or containing strips employing these thermochromic materials, the modalities described above can be altered to scan a banknote at different temperatures. For example, a bill could be scanned first at room temperature and then transported downstream where the banknote temperature rises to or above the activation temperature and is scanned again at the highest temperature. For example, Figure 20 could be modified to employ two sets of sensor pairs 334a-c, one set downstream of the other, where sensors located downstream would be placed in a region where the temperature is evaluated relative to the temperature of the region where the first set of sensors is located. A bill adjacent to the first and second set of sensors 334a-c can be illuminated, either with visible light or with ultraviolet light (if the thermochromic material contains materials whose fluorescent characteristics are altered with changes in temperature). Accordingly, the presence of the appropriate color or absence of color can be detected for the different temperatures and the detected information can be used to authenticate and / or name the bill. The magnetic characteristics of the $ 100 notes of the 1996 series also incorporate additional security features. Referring to Figure 21, various areas of the bill 340 are printed using magnetic ink, such as the A-K areas. Additionally, in some areas the strength of the magnetic field is greater than in areas A-K. These areas of higher magnetic strength are indicated, for example, as 344a and 334b. Some areas, such as area 346, contain magnetic ink that is more easily detected by scanning the banknote over one dimension than the other. For example, a strong magnetic field is detected by scanning through area 346 in the long or wide dimension of bill 340 and a weak magnetic field is detected by scanning area 346 in. the narrow dimension of bill 340. The remaining areas of the bill are printed with non-magnetic ink. Some of these magnetic characteristics vary according to the denomination. For example, in a $ 50 bill of a new series, the areas A ', B', C, E ', F', G ', and K', may be printed with magnetic ink and the areas 354a and 354b may exhibit even stronger magnetic Therefore the non-magnetic areas also vary in relation to the $ 100 bill. The use of magnetic ink in some areas of banknotes of a denomination and in other areas - of banknotes of other denominations is known as magnetic zone printing. Additionally, magnetism can be seen as a safety feature using ink that exhibits magnetic properties in some areas and ink that does not exhibit magnetic properties in the adjacent earrings, where both the ink that exhibits magnetic properties and the one that does not appear visually equal. For example, the number 100 on the upper left side appears visually printed with the same ink. However, the "10" is printed with ink that does not exhibit magnetic properties while the last zero "0" is printed with ink that exhibits magnetic properties. For example, see area F of Figure 21. Figures 23a, 23b, and 24 illustrate examples of arrangements of magnetic sensors that can be used to detect the magnetic characteristics described above. Additionally, the arrangements described above can also be employed as shown in Figures 4f, 6-10, 12, and 15. Figures 23a and 23b illustrate bills 360 and 361 that are transported past the magnetic sensors 364a-dy 366a-g in the narrow dimension of the bill. Figure 24 illustrates the bill 370 being transported and going through the magnetic sensors 374a-c in the long dimension of the bill. The magnetic scan using these sensors can be performed in a manner similar to that described above in relation to optical scanning. For example, each sensor can be used to generate a magnetically explored pattern such as that shown in Figure 14. These patterns can be compared to master, stored magnetic patterns. The scan can be performed in conjunction with synchronization signals provided by an encoder such as the one described above in relation to the optical scan. Alternatively, instead of generating scanned magnetic patterns, the presence or absence of magnetic ink in several areas can be detected and compared with the stored master information that coincides with several areas where it is expected and magnetic ink is not expected in bills. genuine of various denominations. For example, magnetic ink detection in area F is expected for a $ 100 bill but may not be for a $ 50 bill and vice versa - for area F '. See Figures 21a and 21b. Accordingly, the detected magnetic information can be used to determine the denomination of a bill and / or to authenticate a bill to which a given denomination has been determined, using a different test, such as through a comparison of a scanned pattern. Optically with master optical patterns, have the magnetic properties expected for that given denomination. The synchronization signals provided by an encoder such as that described above in relation to the optical scan can be used to detect the magnetic characteristics of specific areas of notes.

Additionally, for magnetic properties that are the same for all notes, such as the presence or absence of magnetic ink at a given location, such as the absence of magnetic ink in area 347 in Figures 21a and 21b, can be used as a general test to authenticate whether a given bill has magnetic properties associated with genuine American money. An example of scanning specific areas regarding the presence or absence of magnetic ink and the denomination or authentication of banknotes based thereon can be understood with reference to Figures 22a and 22b. In Figures 22a and 22b, the areas are scanned for the presence or absence of magnetic ink. For a $ 100 bill of the 1996 series, as indicated in Figure 22a, the magnetic ink should be present in the areas M2, M3, M5, M7, M12, and M14 but not for the other areas. For a $ 50 bill of a new series, as indicated in Figure 22b, the magnetic ink could be expected in the areas Mx, M6, M8, M9, and M13 but not for the other areas. Similarly for other denominations, magnetic ink would be expected in some areas but not in others. By magnetically scanning a ticket in the -L-M- ^ areas and comparing the results with the master magnetic information for each of the different denominations, the denomination of the scanned ticket can be determined. Alternatively, where the denomination of a ticket has already been determined, the authenticity of the biliete can be verified by magnetic scanning thereof in the M-L-M ^ areas and comparing the explored information with the master information associated with the predetermined denomination. If they match enough the ticket passes the authentication test. Alternatively magnetic sensors 364a-d, 366a-g and 374a-c can detect the magnitude of the magnetic fields in various locations of a bill and perform authentication or denomination of the bill based on the same. For example, the strength of magnetic fields can be detected in areas J, 344a, and 348. See Figure 21a. On a genuine $ 100 bill no magnetic ink is present in the area 348. A test to say that a bill is a $ 100 bill or to authenticate that a bill is a $ 100 bill, would be to compare the relative strengths of the field strength magnetic detected in these areas. For example, it can be determined that a bill is genuine if a greater signal is generated by scanning the area 344a than by scanning the area J which in turn is larger than for the area 348. Alternatively, the signals generated can be compared against the expected relationships, for example, that the signal for area 344a is greater than 1.5 times the signal for areas J. Alternatively, the signals generated by scanning for multiple locations can be compared to the reference signals associated with genuine notes for those locations Another naming or authentication technique can be »Understand with reference to area 346 of Figure 21a. It will be remembered that for this area of a $ 100 bill a strong magnetic signal is generated when this area is scanned in the long dimension of the bill, and a weak signal is generated when this area is scanned in the narrow dimension. Accordingly, the signals generated by the sensors 364 and 374 fcO for this area can be compared with each other and / or with different threshold levels to determine if a particular banknote, scanned, has these properties. Then you can use this information to say the denomination of the ticket or authenticate a ticket whose denomination has been previously determined. Figures 25 through 47 are flowcharts that illustrate various methods for using optical, magnetic, and security strip information to name and authenticate notes. These methods can be used with the different characteristic information detection techniques, described above and including, for example, those employing visible and ultraviolet light and magnetism, including, for example, those to detect different characteristics of the security strips. Figure 25 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed in the optical determination of the denomination of a bill. In step 50ß, a note is scanned optically and an optical pattern is generated. In step 502 the scanned optical pattern is compared to one or more master, stored optical patterns. One or more master optical patterns are stored for each denomination that a system employing "the method of Figure 25 discriminates according to its design .. In step 504 it is determined whether as a result of the comparison of step 502 the scanned optical pattern matches sufficiently For example, the pattern comparison can produce a correlation number for each of the master patterns, stored in order to match a master pattern sufficiently, it can be required that the largest number of correlation is greater than a threshold value An example of one of those pattern comparison methods is described in greater detail in US Patent No. 5,295,196 incorporated herein by reference, if the explored pattern does not match sufficiently with one of the master patterns, stored, a non-called code is generated in step 506. Otherwise, if the explored pattern does not co It finds enough with one of the master, stored patterns, the denomination associated with the master optical pattern, of coincidence, is indicated as the denomination of the banknote explored in step 508.

Figure 26 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps taken to determine the denomination of a ticket, based on the location of a security strip. In step 510, a ticket is scanned for the presence of a security strip. The presence of a security strip can be detected using certain number of sensor types such as optical sensors using transmitted and / or reflected light, magnetic sensors, and / or capacitive sensors. See, for example, US Patent Numbers 5,151,607 and 5,122,754. If a strip is not present, as determined in step 512, a suspect code may be issued in step 514. This code of suspicion can indicate that a strip was not detected, if this level of detail is desirable. The absence of a strip, resulting in a suspicion code is particularly useful when all processed tickets are expected to have a security strip on them. In other situations, the absence of a security strip may indicate that a scanned ticket belongs to one or more of the denominations but not to others. For example, assuming that security strips are present on all genuine US notes, between $ 2 and $ 100, but not on genuine $ 1 bills, the absence of a security strip can be used to indicate that a scanned ticket is a ticket. of $ 1. In accordance with one modality, where it is determined that a security strip is not present, it is preliminarily indicated that a bill is a $ 1 bill. Preferably, some additional test is performed to confirm the denomination of the ticket, such as > the use of optical naming methods described above in Figure 25. Optical naming steps can be performed before or after the strip placement test. If it is determined in step 512 that a security strip is present, the location of the detected security strip is then compared to the locations of master strips associated with genuine tickets in step 516. In step 518, determines whether as a result of the comparison in step 516 the location of the strip, detected, coincides with one of the locations of the master strip, stored. If the location of the strip, detected, does not sufficiently match one of the locations of the master strip, stored, an appropriate suspect code is generated in step 520. This suspect code may indicate that the detected strip was not in an acceptable location, if that information is desirable. Otherwise, if the location of the strip, detected, sufficiently matches one of the master, stored strip locations, the denomination associated with the location of the master strip, coincident, is indicated as the name of the banknote explored in step 522.

Figure 27 is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed in determining the denomination of a bill, based on the fluorescent color of a security strip. For example, as described above, the $ 100 bills of the 1996 series contain security strips that emit red light when illuminated with ultraviolet light. In step 524, a bill is illuminated with ultraviolet light. In step 526 the bill is scanned for the presence of a security strip and for the color of some fluorescent light emitted by a security strip that is present. The presence of a security strip can be detected as described above in relation to Figure 26. Alternatively, the presence of a security strip can be detected before the bill is illuminated with ultraviolet light and scanned with respect to the fluorescent light. . If a strip is not present as determined in step 528, an appropriate suspect code may be issued in step 530. The considerations discussed above in relation to Figure 26, concerning genuine notes that do not contain security strips, are applicable here as such. If in step 528 it is determined that a security strip is present, the color of some fluorescent light emitted by the detected security strip is then compared to the master strip fluorescent colors associated with the genuine notes in step 532. If in step 532 the fluorescent light of the strip, detected, does not match one of the fluorescent colors of the master strip, stored, an appropriate code of suspicion is generated in step 534. Otherwise, if the fluorescent color of the strip, detected, does not match sufficiently with one of the fluorescent colors of the master strip, stored, the denomination associated with the color of the master strip, coincident, is indicated as the denomination of the banknote explored in step 536. The sensors used to detect the fluorescent light may be designed solely to respond to the light corresponding to an appropriate master color. This can be done, for example, by employing light filters that allow only light having a frequency of a genuine color to reach a given sensor. Sensors such as those discussed in relation to Figures 18-20 can be employed to detect appropriate fluorescent strip colors. Figure 28 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps taken to determine the denomination of a bill, based on the location and fluorescent color of a security strip. Figure 28 essentially combines the steps of Figures 26 and 27. In step 540 the bill is scanned for the presence, location, and fluorescent color of the security strip. The presence of a security strip can be detected as described above in relation to Figure 26. If a strip is not present as determined in example 542, a suspect code can be issued in step 544. appropriate. The considerations discussed above, in relation to Figure 26, concerning genuine notes that do not contain security strips are applicable here as such. If in step 542 it is determined that a security strip is present, the location of the strip, detected, is compared to the master strip locations, in step 546. If the location of the strip, detected, does not match the location of the master strip, an appropriate suspect code may be issued, in step 548. . If the location of the strip, detected, does not coincide with a location of the master strip, it may be preliminarily indicated that the scanned ticket has the denomination associated with the location of the coincident strip, in step 550. Then, in step 552 , it is determined if the color of any fluorescent light emitted by the security strip, detected, matches the fluorescent color of the master strip, associated with a genuine ticket of the denomination indicated in step 550. If in step 552 the Fluorescent light of the strip, detected, does not coincide with the fluorescent color of the strip, master, stored, corresponding, for the previously indicated denomination, an appropriate code of suspicion is generated, in step 554. Otherwise, if the fluorescent color of the strip, detected, does not match sufficiently with the fluorescent color of the strip, "master, stored, for the denomination-syndicated preliminarily, in step 556 it is indicated that the - banknote scanned is of the denomination indicated in step 550. Figure 29 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed in the magnetic determination of the denomination of a bill In step 558 a bill is scanned magnetically and one or more magnetic patterns are generated Alternatively, instead of generating magnetically scanned patterns, a banknote is magnetically scanned for the presence or absence of magnetic ink in one or more specific locations on the banknote.Alternatively instead of simply detecting whether magnetic ink is present in certain locations , you can measure the strength of the magnetic fields in one or more locations of the banknote. Scanned technology is compared with the master magnetic information. One or more master magnetic information sets are stored for each denomination that a system that employs the methods of Figure 29 discriminates according to its design. For example, where one or more scanned magnetic patterns are generated, those patterns are compared to master, stored magnetic patterns. Where "the presence or absence of magnetic ink is detected in various locations on the ticket, this information is compared to the master, stored magnetic information associated with the expected presence or absence of the magnetic ink characteristics at these different locations for a or more genuine bill denominations Alternatively, the measured field strength information can be compared to the master field strength information In step 562 it is determined whether as a result of the comparison step 560 the scanned magnetic information matches the enough with a set of stored magnetic master information, for example, the pattern comparison can produce a correlation number for each of the stored master patterns.To coincide sufficiently with a master pattern, the largest correlation number may be required is larger than a threshold value, an example of that method, such as applied to optically generated patterns, it is described in greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,295,196 incorporated herein by reference. If the scanned magnetic information does not match sufficiently with the master magnetic information stored, an appropriate code of suspicion is generated in step 564. Otherwise, if the scanned magnetic information does not match sufficiently with one of the stored master magnetic information sets, the denomination associated with the matched set of master magnetic information is indicated as the denomination of the banknote scanned in step 566.

Figure 30 is a flowchart illustrating the steps performed in the optical naming of a ticket and authentication of the ticket based on the location information of a strip and / or color information. In step 568 a note is optically named, for example, in accordance with the methods described above with reference to Figure -25. Assuming that the ticket denomination is optically determined in step 568, then the ticket is authenticated based on the location and / or color of the security strip on the ticket, in step 570. The authentication step 570 can be performed , for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figures 26-28. However, in step 570 the location of the strip, detected, and / or the color thereof, are compared only with the location and / or color information of the strip, masters, associated with the denomination determined in step 568. If the location and / or color of the strip, masters, for the denomination indicated in step 568 matches (step 572) with the location and / or color of the strip, detected, for the ticket under analysis, it is accepted ( in step 576) that the bill has the denomination determined in step 568. Otherwise an appropriate code of suspicion is issued in step 574. Figure 31 is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed in the naming of a ticket, based on the location and / or color information of a strip, and the optical authentication of the ticket. "* In step 578 a ticket is denominated based on the location and / or color information of the strip, for example, in accordance with the methods described above with regard to n to Figures 26-28. If the denomination of the ticket is determined in step 578, the ticket is then authenticated optically in step 580. The optical authentication step 580 may be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figure 25. However, in step 580, the scanning optical pattern or information is only compared to the pattern, or information, optical, master, associated with the denomination determined in step 578. If the pattern or patterns, or optical information , master, for the denomination indicated in step 578 matches (step 582) with the pattern or optical information scanned, for the bill under analysis, it is accepted (in step 586) that the bill has the denomination determined in step 578. Otherwise, an appropriate code of suspicion is issued in step 584. Figure 32 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps taken in the optical denomination of a banknote and magnetic authentication. ica of it. In step 588 a banknote is denominated optically, for example in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figure 25. If the denomination of the banknote is optically determined in step 588, the banknote is authenticated magnetically then in step "590 The magnetic authentication step can be performed for example, in accordance with methods described in relation to Figure 29. However, in step 590, the detected magnetic information is compared only with the master magnetic information, associated with the given denomination. in step 588. If the master magnetic information for the denomination indicated in step 588 matches (step 592) with the magnetic information detected for the bill under analysis, the bill is accepted (in step 596) as a bill having the designation determined in step 588. Otherwise, an appropriate suspect code is issued in step 594. Figure 33 is a diagram of flow that illustrates the steps carried out in the magnetic denomination of a ticket and in the optical authentication of the ticket. In step 598 a note is referred to magnetically, for example, in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figure 29. If the denomination of the note is determined magnetically in step 598, then the ticket is authenticated optically in step 600. Optical authentication step 600 may be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figure 25. However, in step 600, the optical information detected (or pattern) is compared only with the master optical information (or pattern or patterns) associated with the denomination determined in step 598. If the optical master information for the denomination indicated in step 598 matches (step 602) with the optical information detected for the banknote under analysis, the ticket is accepted (in step 606) as a banknote having the denomination determined in step 598. Otherwise, an appropriate code of suspicion is issued in step 604. Figure 34 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed in the denomination of a ticket, both optically and based on the location and / or color information of the strip. In step 608 a banknote is optically denominated, for example, in accordance with the methods described above with respect to Figure 25. If the banknote denomination is optically determined in step 608, the banknote is then named based on the location and / or color of the security strip found on the ticket, in step 610. The naming step 610 may be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figures 26-28. In step 610 the denomination based on the location and / or color of the strip, detected, is made independently of the results of the optical naming step. In step 612, the denomination as determined optically is compared to the denomination as determined based on the location and / or color of the strip. If both optical denomination and strip-based steps indicate the same denomination, it is * accepted that the note (in step 616) has the designation determined in steps 608 and 610. Otherwise it is issued, in step 614 , an appropriate code of suspicion. Alternatively, the order of steps 608 and 610 may be reversed such that the bill is first denominated based on the location and / or color of the strip and then optically named. Figure 35 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed in the denomination of a bill, both optically and magnetically. In step 618 a banknote is denominated optically, for example, in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figure 25. If the denomination of the banknote is optically determined in step 618, the banknote is then magnetically named in step 620, for example, in accordance with the methods described with respect to Figure 29. In step 620 the magnetic designation is performed independently of the results of the optical naming step 618. In step 622 the optically determined denomination is compared to the denomination determined magnetically. If both optical and magnetic denomination steps indicate the same denomination, the bill is accepted (in step 626) as a bill having the denomination determined in steps 618 and 620. Otherwise, in step 624, a bill is issued. appropriate code of suspicion. Alternatively, the order of steps 618 and 620 can be reversed in such a way that the bill is first magnetically and then optically denominated. Figure 36 is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed in naming a ticket, both magnetically and based on the location and / or color information of the strip. In step 628 a ticket is denominated magnetically, for example, in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figure 29. If the denomination of the bill is determined magnetically in step 628, the bill is then named based on the location and / or color of the security strip on the ticket, in step 630. The naming step 630 may be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figures 26-28. In step 630, the denomination based on the location and / or color of the strip, detected, is performed independently of the results of the magnetic naming step 628. In step 632 the denomination determined magnetically is compared with the denomination determined based on the location and / or color of the strip. If both naming, magnetic and strip-based steps indicate the same denomination, the ticket is accepted (in step 636) as a ticket having the denomination determined in steps 628 and 630. Otherwise, it is issued, in step 634, an appropriate suspect code. Alternatively, the order of steps 628 and 630 can be reversed in such a way that the note is first denominated based on the location and / or color of the strip, and then magnetically. Figure 37 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed in naming a ticket optically, based on the location and / or color information of the strip, and magnetically. In step 638, a banknote is optically named, for example, in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figure 25. If the denomination of the banknote is optically determined in step 638, the banknote is then named based on the location and / or color of the security strip on the ticket. The naming step 640 may be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figures 26-28. In step 640, the denomination based on the location and / or color of the detected strip is performed independently of the results of the optical denomination step 638. If the denomination of the note is determined in step 640, the note is named after magnetically in step 642, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figure 29. In step 642 the magnetic naming is performed independently of the results of the naming steps 638 and 640. In step 644, they compare denominations determined optically, magnetically, and based on the location and / or color of the strip.

If all the naming steps 638-642 indicate the same denomination, the ticket is accepted (in step 648) as a ticket having the denomination determined in "steps 638-642." Otherwise, it is issued, in step 646, an appropriate suspect code Alternatively, the order of steps 638-642 can be reordered For example, a ticket can be sorted first optically, then it can be called magnetically, and finally it can be named based on the location and / or color of the strip Alternatively, a banknote can be denominated first magnetically, then it can be denominated optically, and finally it can be denominated based on the location and / or color of the strip.Alternately, a banknote can be denominated first magnetically , then it can be denominated based on the location and / or color of the strip, and finally it can be denominated optically Alternatively, a ticket can be denominated first based on the location and / or color of the strip, and then it can be called magnetically, and finally it can be called optically. Alternatively, a note can be denominated first based on the location and / or color of the strip, and then it can be denominated optically, and finally it can be denominated magnetically. Figure 38 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed in a method whereby a bill is denominated based on a first characteristic, then authenticated based on a second characteristic, and if the bill is authenticated, then it is called again on the basis of the second characteristic .__ According to the flowchart of Figure 38, in step 650, a banknote is denominated optically, for example, in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figure 25. If the denomination is optically determined in step 650, the bill is then magnetically authenticated in step 652. The magnetic authentication step 652 can be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figure 29. In step 652, however, the magnetic information detected is compared only with the master magnetic information associated with the denomination determined in step 650. If the information Magnetic master for the denomination indicated in step 650 does not match enough (step 654) with the magnetic information detected for the bill under analysis, is issued, in step 656, an appropriate suspect code. Otherwise, the bill is called again (in step 658) but this time using the magnetic information. If the magnetically determined denomination does not match (step 660) with the optically determined denomination, an appropriate suspect code is issued in step 662. If the magnetically determined denomination does not match (step 660) with the optically determined denomination, the denomination determined in steps 650 and 658 is indicated as the denomination of the banknote under analysis, in step 664. "* The method of Figure 38 is advantageous to provide a high degree of certainty in the determination of the denomination of a bill while shortening the processing time when the bill fails in a previous test For example, in step 650 a bill is optically denominated. The ticket can not be given a specific denomination under the optical test, a non-identification code is issued, as in step 506 in Figure 25 and the naming / authentication process ends with respect to the ticket. Optically successfully named, the bill is then authenticated based on the magnetic information in step 652. Processing time is saved in this step by comparing the information. magnetic ion scanned for the banknote under analysis, only with the master magnetic information associated with the denomination, as determined optically in step 650. If the scanned magnetic information does not sufficiently match the master magnetic information for that denomination, an appropriate suspicion code is issued and the naming / authentication process ends with respect to the ticket. If the bill successfully passes the authentication step 654, the bill is then called using the magnetic information. Here the scanned magnetic information is compared with the master magnetic information for a certain number of denominations. Then it is determined what denomination is associated with the original magnetic information that best matches the magnetic information scanned and this denomination is purchased with the denomination determined optically, to verify that they coincide. For example, it can be optically determined that a bill is a $ 100 bill. The magnetic information may be magnetic patterns similar to the patterns generated optically and described above and which can be found in US Patent No. 5,295,196. In step 652 the scanned magnetic pattern is correlated against the master magnetic pattern or patterns associated with the $ 100 bills. Assume, for example, that a correlation value of at least 850 is required to pass the authentication test. If the scanned magnetic pattern produces a ratio of 860 when compared to the master pattern or magnetic patterns, associated with the $ 100 bills, the bill then passes the authentication step 654. At this point the bill is magnetically named and so independent of the results of the optical naming step 650. This step ensures that the best match coincides magnetically with the best optical match. For example, if in step 658, the highest correlation is 860 which is associated with the master magnetic pattern of a $ 100 bill, then the magnetic naming and optical naming steps both indicate a $ 100 bill and therefore, indicates what ~ * the bill is a $ 100 bill, in passp 664. However, if the highest correlation is 900 which is associated with the master magnetic pattern of a $ 20 bill, then the optically determined denomination and denomination magnetically determined are in disagreement and an appropriate error message is issued, in step 662. The method of Figure 38 can be particularly useful in the naming and authentication of higher denomination bills such as $ 20, $ 50, and $ 100 bills. The highest values of these notes may be desirable to undertake the additional steps of naming 658-664. The method in Figure 38 could be modified in such a way that if a ticket was determined to be a $ 20, $ 50, or $ 100 bill in step 650, then the steps indicated in Figure 38 would be followed. However, if it will be determined that a bill is $ 1, $ 2, $ 5, or $ 10 in step 650, then instead of magnetically naming the bill in step 658, the bill would be accepted immediately as in Figure 32. Figure 39 is a flowchart that illustrates the steps taken in a method by which a banknote is denominated based on a first characteristic, then authenticated based on a second characteristic, and if the banknote fails in the authentication test, then the banknote is called again based on the second characteristic. In accordance with the flowchart of Figure 39, in step 666, a note is optically named, for example, in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figure 25. If the denomination of the note is optically determined in the step 666, the bill is then magnetically authenticated in step 668. The magnetic authentication step 668 may be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figure 29. However, in step 668, the information detected magnetic is compared only with the master magnetic information, associated with the denomination determined in step 666. If the master magnetic information, for the denomination indicated in step 666, coincides (step 670) with the magnetic information detected under test, it is indicated that the bill (in step 672) has the denomination determined in step 666. Otherwise, the bill is again denominates (in step 674) weight this time using the magnetic information. If the detected magnetic information matches enough (step 676) with any of the master magnetic information stored, an appropriate error code is issued in step 678. Because the ticket failed in the test in step 670, if the scanned magnetic information matches any of the master, stored magnetic information, the matching magnetic master information will be associated with a different denomination than the denomination determined optically in the step 666. Accordingly, in step 678, the magnetically determined denomination differs from the optically determined denomination and an appropriate error code can be generated such as a non-identification code indicating that the optical and magnetic tests resulted in determinations of denomination, different, thus preventing the system from indicating the denomination of the banknote under analysis. An error like that could be indicative of a situation where the bill under analysis is a genuine bill that had its altered optical or magnetic appearance, for example, where a genuine $ 1 bill was changed in a way that it seemed, at least optically and in part, a ticket of a larger denomination such as a $ 20 bill. If the magnetic information detected does not match (step 676) with any of the master magnetic information stored, an appropriate code of suspicion is issued in step 680. The error code in step 680 may indicate that the scanned ticket does not magnetically match any of the stored magnetic master information associated with the genuine tickets. The method of Figure 39 is advantageous because it saves processing time where a ticket is determined to be genuine after passing two tests. In addition, when a ticket fails the test in step 670, an additional test is performed to better define the suspect qualities of a bill that is rejected. In Figures 38 and 39 the first characteristic is optical information and the second characteristic is magnetic information. Alternatively, the methods of Figures 38 and 39 can be performed with other combinations of characteristic information wherein the first and second characteristic information comprises a variety of characteristic information as described above, ie magnetic, optical, color information, and based on the strip. Examples of those alternatives are discussed below with reference to Figures 41 and 44. Alternatively, the methods of Figures 38 and 39 can be performed using the information of the first characteristic to denominate a bill, then use the information of the second characteristic to authenticate the ticket and finally name the ticket using the information of the third characteristic. Again, the variety of characteristic information described above, such as magnetic, optical, color, and strip-based information, can be employed in various combinations as information of the first, second, and third characteristics. Figure 40 is similar to Figure 39 and is a flow diagram illustrating the steps taken in a method whereby a "*" note is denominated based on a first characteristic, then authenticated in base to a second characteristic and if the banknote fails in the authentication test, then the banknote is renamed based on the second characteristic.According to the flow chart of Figure 40, in step 682, a banknote is denominated based on the location and / or color of the strip, for example, in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figures 26-28, if the ticket denomination is determined in step 682., the bill is then authenticated magnetically in step 684. The magnetic authentication step 684 may be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described with reference to Figure 29. In step 684, however, the magnetic information detected it is compared only with the master magnetic information, associated with the denomination determined in step 682. If the master magnetic information for the denomination indicated in step 682 matches (step 686) with the magnetic information detected for the bill under analysis, the bill it is accepted and indicated (in step 688) that it has the denomination that was determined in step 682. Otherwise, the bill is renamed (in step 690) but this time using magnetic information. If the detected magnetic information matches enough (step 692) with some of the stored master magnetic information, an appropriate error code is issued in step 696. Because the ticket-- failed in the test of step 686, if the magnetic information scanned coincides with some 5 of the master magnetic information, stored, the matching magnetic master information will be associated with a different denomination than the denomination determined in the step 682. Therefore, in step 696, the denomination? determined magnetically differs from the denomination determined on the basis of the strip and an appropriate error code may be generated such as a non-identification code indicating that the magnetic and strip-based tests resulted in different denomination determinations, thus preventing the system from indicating the denomination of the ^^ 15 banknote under analysis. If the magnetic information detected does not match (step 692) with any of the stored magnetic master information, an appropriate code of suspicion is issued in step 694. The code of. error in step 694 may indicate that the scanned note does not match magnetically with some of the master magnetic information, stored, associated with the genuine tickets. Figure 41 is also similar to Figure 39 and is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed by a method by which a bill is denominated based on a The first feature is then authenticated based on a second characteristic, and if the bill fails the authentication test, then the bill is renamed based on the second characteristic. According to the flow diagram of Figure 41, in step 698, a note is optically named, for example, in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figure 25. If the denomination of the note is determined in step 698, the ticket is then authenticated based on the location and / or the strip, in step 700. The authentication step 700 can be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figures 26-28. . However, in step 700 the information of the strip detected is compared only with the strip information, master, associated with the denomination determined in step 698. If the strip information, master, for the denomination indicated in step 698 matches (step 702) with the information of the strip, detected, for the banknote under analysis, the ticket is accepted and indicated (in step 704) having the denomination determined in step 698. Otherwise, the The ticket is called again (in step 706) but this time using the information on the strip. If the strip information, detected, matches (step 708) with some of the information from the master, stored strip, an appropriate error code is issued in step 712. Because the ticket failed in the test in step 702, if the information based on the strip matches some information of the master, stored strip, the information of the master strip, coincident, will be associated with a different denomination than the denomination determined in step 698. Accordingly, in step 712, the denomination determined on the basis of the strip differs from the optically determined denomination and an appropriate error code may be generated such as a non-identifying code indicating that The optical and strip-based tests resulted in different denomination determinations, thus preventing the system from indicating the denomination of the ticket under the test. If the information of the strip, detected, does not match (step 708) with any of the information of the master strip, stored, an appropriate code of suspicion is issued in step 710. The error code in step 710 may indicate that the strip characteristics of the scanned ticket do not coincide with some stored master strip information associated with the genuine notes. Figure 42 is also similar to Figure 39 and is a flowchart illustrating the steps performed in a method whereby a bill is denominated based on a first characteristic, then authenticated based on a second characteristic and if the ticket fails in the authentication test, then the ticket is renamed based on the second feature. In accordance with the flowchart of Figure 42, in step 714, a note is referred to magnetically, for example, in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figure 29. If the denomination of the note is determined on the step 714, the bill is then authenticated based on the location and / or color of the strip, in step 716. The authentication step 716 may be performed, for example, in accordance with methods described in relation to Figures 26-28. However, in step 716, the detected strip information is compared only with the master strip information associated with the denomination determined in step 714. If the strip, master information, for the denomination indicated in step 714 matches ( step 718) with the strip information detected, for the bill under analysis, the bill is accepted and indicated (in step 720) having the denomination that was determined in step 714. Otherwise, the bill is called again (in step 722) but this time using the strip information.

If the detected strip_ information matches (step 724) with any of the stored master strip information, the matching master strip information will be associated with a different denomination than the name determined in step 714. Therefore, in the Step 728, the denomination determined on the basis of the strip differs from the magnetically determined denomination and an appropriate error code can be generated such as a non-identification code indicating that the strip-based and magnetic tests resulted in determinations. different, thereby preventing the system from indicating the denomination of the banknote under analysis If the detected strip information does not match (step 724) with some stored master strip information, an appropriate suspect code is issued in step 726. The error code in step 726 may indicate that the strip characteristics of the scanned ticket do not match any of the master strip information, stored, associated with genuine tickets. Figure 43 is similar to Figure 38 and is a flow chart illustrating the steps taken in a method whereby a banknote is denominated based on the first characteristic, then authenticated based on a second characteristic, and if the The ticket is authenticated, then the ticket is renamed based on the second feature. In accordance with the flowchart of Figure 43, in step 730, a note is referred to magnetically, for example, in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figure 29. If the denomination of the note is determined magnetically in the step 730, the bill is then authenticated optically in step 732. The optical authentication step 732 can be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described with respect to Figure 25. However, in step 732, the information The detected optical is compared only with the master optical information associated with the information determined in step 730. If the optical master information for the denomination indicated in step 730 does not match sufficiently (step 734) with the optical information detected for the ticket under analysis, a code of. is issued in step 736. proper suspicion. Otherwise, the bill is called again (in step 738) but this time using optical information. If the optically determined denomination does not match (step 740) with the magnetically determined denomination, an appropriate error code is issued in step 742. If the optically determined denomination does not match (step 740) with the magnetically determined denomination, the denomination as determined in steps 730 and 738 is indicated as the denomination of the banknote under analysis, in step 744. Figure 44 is also similar to Figure 38 and is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed in a method whereby a bill is denominated based on a first characteristic, then authenticated based on a second characteristic, and if the bill is authenticated, then the bill is then called again based on the second characteristic. In accordance with the flow diagram of Figure 44, in step 746, a note is denominated based on the location and / or color of the strip, for example, in accordance with the methods described above with reference to Figures 26 -28. If the denomination of the banknote is determined in step 746, the banknote is authenticated. Then optically in step 748. The optical authentication step 748 can be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to the Figure 25. In step 748, however, the detected optical information is compared only with the master optical information, associated with the denomination determined in step 746. If the optical master information for the denomination indicated in step 746 does not match sufficiently (step 750) with the optical information detected for the ticket under analysis, an appropriate code of suspicion is issued in step 752. Otherwise, the bill is renamed '.in step 754) but this time using optical information. If the optically determined denomination does not match (step 756) with the denomination determined on the basis of the strip, an appropriate error code is issued at step 758. If the optically determined denomination does not coincide (step 740) with the denomination determined on the basis of the strip, the denomination determined in steps 746 and 754 is indicated as the denomination of the banknote under analysis, in step 760. Figures 45 and 46 they illustrate methods in which for a ticket to be accepted it is first called using the information of the first characteristic, then it is authenticated using the information of the second characteristic and finally it is authenticated again using the information of the third characteristic. In accordance with the flowchart of Figure 45, in step 762 a note is optically named, for example, in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figure 25. If the denomination of the note is optically determined in step 762, the bill is then magnetically authenticated in step 764. The magnetic authentication step 764 may be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figure 29. However, in step 769, the magnetic information detected is compared only with master magnetic information, associated with the denomination determined in step 762. If the master magnetic information for the denomination indicated in step 762 matches (step 766) with the magnetic information detected for the bill under analysis, the bill it is then authenticated based on the location and / or color of the strip, in step 768. The authentication step 768 can be performed, for example lo, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figures 26-28. However, in step 768, the detected strip information is compared only with the master strip information, associated with the denomination determined in step 762. If the master strip information for the denomination indicated in step 762 matches (step 770) with the strip information detected for the banknote under analysis, the bill is accepted and indicated (in step 772) having the denomination that was determined in step 762. Otherwise, the bill is renamed (in step 774) but this time using strip information. If the detected strip information matches (step 776) with some stored master strip information, an appropriate error code is issued in step 778. Because the ticket failed in the test in step 770, if the information based on the strip matches some master strip information, stored, the matching master strip information will be associated with a different denomination than the denomination determined in step 762. Accordingly, in step 778, the denomination determined on the basis of the strip differs from the optically determined denomination and an appropriate error code may be generated, such as a non-identification code indicating that the tests based on the strip and the optical tests resulted in different determinations of the denomination, thus preventing the system from indicating the denomination of the banknote under analysis. If the detected strip information does not match (step 776) with some stored master strip information, an appropriate suspect code is issued in step 780. The error code in step 780 may indicate that the strip characteristics of the scanned ticket does not match any of the master strip information, stored, associated with genuine notes. - * • If in step 766 the master magnetic information for the denomination indicated in step 762 does not match the magnetic information detected for the banknote under analysis, the banknote is renamed (in step 782) but this time using information magnetic If the magnetic information detected matches enough (step 784) with some master magnetic information, stored, an appropriate error code is issued in step 786. Because the ticket failed in the test of step 766, if the scanned magnetic information coincides with some stored master magnetic information, the matching magnetic master information will be associated with a different denomination than the optically determined denomination in step 762. Accordingly, in step 786, the magnetically determined denomination differs from the optically determined denomination and an appropriate error code may be generated, such as a non-identifying code indicating that the optical and magnetic tests resulted in different determinations of the denomination, thus preventing the system from indicating the denomination of the banknote under analysis. If the detected magnetic information does not match (step 784) with some master magnetic information stored, an appropriate code of suspicion is issued in step 788. The error code in step 788 may indicate that the scanned note does not magnetically match any magnetic, master, stored information associated with genuine notes. In accordance with the flowchart of Figure 46, in step 782, a note is optically named, for example, in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figure 25. If the denomination of the note is determined in step 782, the ticket is then authenticated based on the location and / or strip color, in step 784. The authentication step 784 may be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figures 26-28. . However, in step 784, the detected strip information is compared only with the master strip information, associated with the denomination determined in step 782. If the master strip information, for the denomination indicated in step 782, matches ( step 786) with the strip information detected for the banknote under analysis, the banknote is then authenticated magnetically in step 788. The magnetic authentication step 788 can be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to the Figure 29. However, in step 788, the detected magnetic information is compared only with the master magnetic information, associated with the denomination determined in step 782. If the master magnetic information, for the denomination indicated in step 782, matches ( step 790) with the magnetic information detected for the banknote under '* analysis, it is indicated that the banknote (in step 791) has the denomination determined in step 782. Otherwise, the bill is renamed (in step 792) but this time using magnetic information. If the detected magnetic information matches enough (step 793) with some of the stored master magnetic information, an appropriate error code is issued in step 794. Because the ticket failed in the test in step 790, if the scanned magnetic information coincides with some stored master magnetic information, the matching master magnetic information will be associated with a different denomination than the denomination determined optically in step 782. Accordingly, in step 794 the magnetically determined denomination differs from the optically determined denomination and an appropriate error code may be generated such as a non-identification code indicating that the optical and magnetic tests resulted in naming determinations. different, thus preventing the system from indicating the denomination of the banknote under analysis. If the magnetic information detected does not match (step 793) with any of the master magnetic information stored, an appropriate code of suspicion is issued in step 795. The error code in step 795 may indicate that the scanned note does not match magnetically with any of the master magnetic information, stored, associated csit genuine tickets. If in step 786 the master strip information for the denomination indicated in step 782 does not match the strip information detected for the note under analysis, the note is renamed (in step 796) but this time using strip information . If the detected strip information matches (step 797) with some of the stored master strip information, an appropriate error code is issued in step 798. Because the ticket failed in the test of step 786, if the information based on the strip coincides with some stored master strip information, the coincident master strip information will be associated with a different denomination than the denomination determined in the step 782. Accordingly, in step 798 the denomination determined on the basis of the strip differs from the denomination optically and an appropriate error code can be generated such as a non-identification code indicating that the optical tests and based on the strip, resulted in different determinations of the denomination, thus preventing the system from indicating the denomination of the banknote under analysis. If the detected strip information does not match (step 797) with any of the stored master strip information, an appropriate suspect code is issued in step 799. The error code in step 799 may indicate that the strip characteristics of the scanned ticket do not coincide with some stored * master strip * information associated with genuine notes. Figure 47 illustrates a method where for a ticket to be accepted it is first called using information from the first characteristic, then it is authenticated using information from the second characteristic, then it is called using the information of the second characteristic, and finally it is authenticated using the information of the third characteristic. In accordance with the flow chart of Figure 47, in step 800, a note is referred to magnetically, for example, in accordance with the methods described above in relation to Figure 29. If the denomination of the note is determined magnetically in the step 800, the banknote is then authenticated optically in step 802. The optical authentication step 802 can be performed, for example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figure 25. However, in step 802, the information The detected optical is compared only with the master magnetic information, associated with the denomination determined in step 800. If the optical master information for the denomination indicated in step 800 does not match (step 804) with the optical information detected for the banknote under analysis , an appropriate code of suspicion is issued in step 806. Otherwise, the ticket is denominated ninely (in step 808) but this time using optical information. If the optically determined denomination does not match (step 810) with the magnetically determined denomination, an appropriate error code is issued in step 812. If the optically determined denomination does not match (step 810) with the magnetically determined denomination, the bill is then authenticated based on the location and / or color of the strip, in step 814. Authentication step 814 can be performed, by example, in accordance with the methods described in relation to Figures 26-28. However, in step 814, the detected strip information is compared only with the master strip information, associated with the denomination determined in step 800. If the master strip information for the denomination indicated in step 800 matches (step 816) with the strip information detected for the bill under analysis, the bill is accepted and indicated (in step 818) having the denomination determined in step 800. Otherwise, the bill is called again (in step 820) but this time using strip information. If the detected strip information matches (step 822) with some of the master strip information, stored, an appropriate error code is issued in step 824. Because the ticket failed in the test in step 816, if the information based on the strip coincides with some stored master strip information, the coincident master strip information will be associated with a different denomination than the denomination determined in In step 8, the name determined on the basis of the strip differs from the magnetically determined denomination and an appropriate error code may be generated, such as a non-identifying code indicating that the Magnetic and strip-based tests resulted in different determinations of the denomination, thus preventing the system from indicating the denomination of the banknote under analysis. If the detected strip information does not match (step 822) with any of the stored master strip information, an appropriate suspect code is issued in step 826. The error code in step 826 may indicate that the strip characteristics of the scanned ticket does not match some stored master strip information associated with the genuine notes. Figures 45-47 provide examples of combinations of characteristic information used as first, second, and third characteristic information. Alternatively, the methods of Figures 45-47 may be performed with other combinations of characteristic information where the first, second, and third characteristic information comprises a variety of characteristic information as described above, such as magnetic, optical, color and based on the strip.

In general, with respect to the methods described above with respect to Figures 25-47, the decision to authenticate a ticket or not, using one or more tests and / or to name a ticket two or more times, can be based on the ticket value, determined during the initial denomination step. For example, for a bill that was initially determined to be a $ 1 or $ 2 bill, using a first naming method, it may be desirable to immediately accept the bill or perform an authentication test as illustrated in Figures 25-33. For bills for which it was initially determined that there were some immediate values such as bills of $ 5 and $ 10, a second naming step and / or an authentication step may be desirable before accepting the bill, as in Figures 34-36 and 38, and 43-44. For bills that were initially determined as high-value notes such as $ 20, $ 50 and $ 100, it may be desirable to make two, three, or more naming and / or authentication steps, such as in Figures 37 and 45-47. Likewise, it may be desirable to carry out additional naming and / or authentication steps in money handling machines not attended by employees, such as machines for the reimbursement of money not attended by employees. Additional selection steps may be desirable with these machines that accept money directly from customers, such as bank customers or casino owners, to give credit to their accounts or for denomination changes, which is the opposite of machines used in environments where an employee such as a bank teller or a casino employee receives money from customers and then the employee processes the tickets with the help of the money machine. The modalities described above, of sensors and methods, can be employed in money discriminators such as for example those described above in relation to Figures 4a, 6-12, 15 or the discriminator described in US Patent No. 5,295,196 incorporated in the present as a reference. The issuance of an error code, such as a non-identification code or a suspect code, can be used to suspend the processing of a stack of bills, for example, as described in US Patent No. 5,295,196 incorporated in the present as a reference. These codes can cause the operation of a discriminator of a single outlet bag or multiple outlet bags to be suspended, so that the bill that activates one of these codes is the last bill delivered to an exit bag before that the operation of the system be suspended. Alternatively, a random bill can activate these codes, for example from the second to the last bill. Accordingly, the activator ticket can be easily explored by the system operator so that appropriate action can be taken based on the operator's evaluation of the activating ticket. Alternatively in a multiple-bag outlet system, such as a two-bag outlet system, the issuance of one of these error codes may cause the trigger tickets to be delivered to a different outlet bag such as a reject bag. Alternatively, banknotes that result in a non-identification code can be diverted to an exit bag and those that result in a suspicion code can be delivered to a different bag. Accepted tickets can be routed to one or more different outlet bags. The operation of the selection elements will now be described in more detail, in conjunction with Figure 48a which is a front view of a control panel 1061 of one embodiment of the present invention. The control panel 1061 comprises a keyboard 1062 and a display section 1063. The keyboard 1062 comprises a plurality of keys that include seven denomination selection elements 1064a-1064g, each one associated with one of seven North American money denominations, that is, $ 1, $ 2, $ 5, $ 10, $ 20, $ 50, and $ 100. Alternatively, the keys can be for 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 or some combination of foreign money. For the systems of processing of documents, the elements of selection of the denomination can be marked in accordance with the system of money that the system can handle according to its design, and consequently, there can be more or less than seven elements of denomination selection . The selection key 64a of the denomination of $ 1 also serves as a mode selection key. It should be noted that the selection elements of the denomination, can be used to enter not only the value of the money, but all types of documents including checks. The keyboard 1062 also comprises a "continuation" selection element 1065. Different types of information such as instructions, mode selection information, authentication and discrimination information, counter values of an individual denomination, and the value of the total batch counter, are communicated to the operator through a LCD 1066 in the section 1063. The complete image processing unit and the discrimination and authentication unit according to one embodiment of the present invention have a number of operating modes that include a mixed mode, an unknown mode, a classification mode. , a face mode, and a forward orientation mode / in reverse. Figure 48b illustrates an alternative embodiment of the control panel 1061. A set of numeric keys with a decimal point, collectively marked as 1064h, is used by the user to enter "numerical numbers of all types of documents." Figure 48c illustrates a control panel 1061 with both numeric and decimal point 1064h keypads and with 1064a-1064f keypads. The user has the choice to enter the data using the 1064a-1064f or the numeric keys. The remaining elements of the control panels in Figures 48b and 48c operate as described above. The operation of a document processing system having the selection elements of the denomination 1064a-1064g and the continuation element 1065 will now be described, in relation to several modes of operation.

(A) Mixed Mode The mixed mode is designed to accept a stack of mixed-denomination bills, sum the accumulated value of all the bills "that are in the stack and presents the accumulated value on the display screen 1063. It is understood that the term" stack " not only includes a single stack of bills, but multiple batteries as such The information concerning the number of tickets of each individual denomination that are in a stack can also be stored in the denomination counters When another type of acceptable ticket remains without being identified after passing through the system, the operation of the system can be resumed and the counter of the corresponding denomination and / or the cumulative value counter, can be appropriately increased by selecting the naming selection key 1064a-1064g associated with the name of the unidentified ticket, for example, if the system stops working with an acceptable ticket of $ 5 that is the last ticket deposited in the exit receptacle, the operator can select, simply the key 64b. When key 64b is pressed, system operation resumes and the denomination counter of $ 5 is incremented and / or the accumulated value counter is incremented by $ 5. In addition, the identified ticket can be routed from the inspection station to an appropriate outlet receptacle. Otherwise, if the operator determines that the identified ticket is unacceptable, the ticket can be removed from the exit receptacle or the inspection station, or the identified ticket can be routed to the rejection receptacle. The continuation key 1065 is pressed after the unacceptable note has been removed, and the system resumes operation without affecting the total value counter and / or the individual denomination counters.

(B) Strange Mode The stranger mode is designed to accommodate a stack of bills where they all have the same denomination, such as a stack of $ 10 bills. In that mode, when a stack of bills is processed by the system, the denomination of the first bill that is in the stack is determined and the subsequent bills are marked if they are not of the same denomination. Alternatively, the system may be designed to allow the operator to designate the denomination against which the tickets will be evaluated and those with a denomination will be marked. Assuming that the first banknote on the stack determines the relevant denomination and assuming that the first bill is a $ 10 bill, then assuming that all the bills in the stack are $ 10 bills, the 1063 display screen will indicate the accumulated value of the bills that are in the pile and / or the number of $ 10 bills that are in the pile. However, if a ticket has a different denomination than $ 10 and is included in the stack, the system will stop its operation with the non-$ 10 bill or "strange bill" which will be the last ticket deposited in the exit receptacle in the case of the discriminating system or in the case of the inspection station. The foreign banknote can be removed after the exit receptacle and the system is operated again, either automatically or by pressing the "Continuation" key 1065 * depending on the system setting. An unidentified but otherwise acceptable bill of $ 10 can be handled in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the mixed mode, for example, by pressing the denomination selection element 1064c of $ 10, or alternatively, the bill of exchange. $ 10 unidentified but acceptable, can be removed from the exit receptacle and placed inside the entrance hopper to be re-scanned. Upon completion of the entire stack processing, the 1064 display screen will indicate the accumulated value of the $ 10 bills in the stack and / or the number of $ 10 bills in the stack. All tickets that have a different denomination than $ 10 will have been set aside and will not be included in the totals. Alternatively, these foreign bills can be included in the totals through selection choices by the operator. For example, if a $ 5 foreign bill is detected and marked on a $ 10 bill stack, the operator can be warned via the viewing screen by questioning whether the $ 5 bill should be incorporated into the accumulated totals. If the operator responds positively, the $ 5 bill is incorporated into the cumulative, appropriate totals, and otherwise not. Alternatively, when the system stops on a foreign bill, such as a $ 5 bill, the operator can press the denomination selection element associated with that denomination, to cause the value of the foreign bill to be incorporated into the totals. In the same way for other types of banknotes marked as unidentified. Alternatively, you can choose an adjustment selection by which all the foreign bills are automatically incorporated into them. Accumulated totals, appropriate.

(C) Classification Mode.

In accordance with one modality, the classification mode is designed to accommodate a stack of banknotes in which the banknotes are separated by denomination. For example, all $ 1 bills can be placed at the beginning of the stack, followed by all $ 5 bills, followed by all $ 10 bills, etc. Alternatively, the classification mode can be used in conjunction with a stack of banknotes where the bills are mixed by denomination. The operation of the sorting mode is similar to that of the strange mode, except that after stopping by the detection of a bill of different denomination, the system is designed to resume its operation by removing all bills from the outlet receptacle. Returning to the previous example, assuming that the first bill in a stack determines the relevant denomination and assuming that the first bilJLete is a $ 1 bill, then the system processes the bills in the stack until the first bill that is not $ 1 is detected , which in this example is the first $ 5 bill. At that point the system will stop its operation and the first $ 5 bill will be the last bill deposited in the exit receptacle. The display screen 1063 may be designed to indicate the accumulated value of the preceding $ 1 bills, processed and / or the number of preceding $ 1 bills. The $ 1 bills scanned and the first $ 5 bill are removed from the first outlet receptacle and placed in separate stacks of a $ 1 and $ 5 bill. The system will start again automatically and the subsequent bills will be evaluated in relation to bills that are $ 5. The system continues to process bills until the first $ 10 bill is found. The above procedure is repeated and the system resumes operation until you find the first ticket that is not a $ 10 bill and so on. Upon completion of processing the entire stack, the display 1063 will indicate the accumulated value of all bills in the stack and / or the number of bills of each denomination in the stack. This mode allows the operator to separate a stack of bills with multiple denominations, in separate stacks according to the denomination. • « (D) Face Orientation Mode, The face orientation mode is designed to accommodate a stack of bills, all oriented in the same direction, for example, all placed in the entrance receptacle, face up (ie with the portrait or black side facing up, for US dollar bills). ) and to detect some bills that are oriented in the opposite direction. In this way, when a stack of bills is processed by the system, the face orientation of the first bill in the stack is determined and the subsequent bills are marked if they do not have the same face orientation. Alternatively, the system can be designed to allow the designation of the face orientation with respect to which the bills will be evaluated, marking those that have a different face orientation. Assuming that the first banknote in a stack determines the relevant face orientation and assuming that the first banknote is face up, then, assuming that all the banknotes in the pile are face up, the 1063 display screen will indicate the accumulated value of the bills in the stack and / or the number of bills of each denomination in the stack. However, if a banknote oriented in the opposite direction is included in the stack (ie, face down in this example), the system will stop its operation and the banknote oriented upside down will be the last banknote deposited in it. outlet receptacle. The reverse orientation note can then be removed from the exit receptacle. In automatic reset modes, the removal of the banknote oriented upside down will cause the system to continue functioning. The withdrawn bill can then be placed inside the outlet receptacle with the appropriate face orientation. Alternatively, in non-automatic reset modes, the upside-down banknote may either be placed within the entry receptacle with the appropriate face orientation and press the continuation key 1065, or it may be placed within the exit receptacle with the Appropriate face orientation. Depending on the adjustment of the system setting, when a banknote is placed back into the outlet receptacle, with the appropriate face orientation, the denomination selection key, associated with the upside-down banknote, can be selected, whereby the associated denomination counter and / or accumulated value counter, are increased appropriately and the system resumes operation. Alternatively, in embodiments where the system is capable of determining the denomination regardless of the face orientation, the continuation key 1065 or a third key may be depressed, whereby the system resumes its operation and the appropriate denomination counter and / or the total value counter is incited in accordance with the denomination identified by the discrimination system. In systems that require a specific face orientation, any banknote oriented upside down will be an unidentified ticket. In systems that can accept a ticket regardless of face orientation, upside-down notes can be properly identified. The last type of system can have a system of discrimination and authentication with a scan head on each side of the transport route. Examples of such double-sided systems were described above. The ability to detect bills oriented backwards and correct their orientation is important because the Federal Reserve requires that the money it receives be oriented in the same direction. In a multiple outlet receptacle system, the face orientation mode can be used to route all of the bills facing upward toward an exit receptacle, and all the bills oriented face down toward another exit receptacle. In single-sided discriminators, upside-down banknotes can be routed to an inspection station so that the operator manually returns them and the unoriented, upside-down notes can be passed back through the system. In double-sided systems, the upside-down, identified banknotes can be routed directly to an * appropriate outlet receptacle. For example, in double-sided discriminators bills can be classified by both face orientation and denomination, for example, bills of $ 1 face up to bag # 1, bills of $ 1 face down to bag # 2, $ 5 bills up towards bag # 3 and so on, or simply by denomination, regardless of face orientation, for example, all $ 1 bills toward bag # 1 regardless of face orientation, all bills $ 2 towards stock # 2, etc.

(E) Forward / Reverse Orientation Mode The Way Forward / Reverse Orientation ("Orientation" mode) is designed to accommodate a stack of bills all oriented in a forward or backward direction, predetermined, for example, in a system that feeds bills along its narrow dimension, the direction towards forward may be defined as the feed direction by which the top edge of a bill is fed first and vice versa for the reverse direction. In a system that feeds bills along its long dimension, the forward direction can be defined as the feed direction by which the left edge of a bill is fed first and the opposite to the invective address. In that mode, when a stack of bills is processed by the system, the forward / backward orientation of the first bill that is in the stack is determined and the subsequent bills are marked if they do not have the same forward orientation / backward. Alternatively, the system may be designed to allow the operator to designate the forward / backward orientation, against which the notes will be evaluated, and those that have a different forward / backward orientation, are marked. Assuming that the first bill in a stack determines the relevant forward / backward direction, and assuming that the first bill is fed in the forward direction, then assuming that all bills in the stack are also fed in the forward direction, the display screen 63 will indicate the accumulated value of the bills in the stack and / or the number of bills of each denomination in the stack. However, if a bill having the opposite forward / backward orientation is included in the stack, the system will stop its operation and the bill facing forward / backward, opposite, will be the last bill deposited in the exit receptacle. . The bill of opposite orientation forwards / backwards can then be removed from the outlet receptacle. In automatic restart modes, the withdrawal of the opposite orientation forward / backward ticket will cause the system to continue functioning. The withdrawn bill can then be placed in the entry receptacle with the appropriate face orientation. Alternatively, in non-automatic reset modes, the bill of opposite forward / backward orientation, may either be placed in the outlet receptacle with the proper forward / backward orientation, and the continuation key may be depressed. , or can be repositioned in the outlet receptacle with proper forward / backward orientation. Depending on the system setting, when a banknote is put back into the outlet receptacle with the appropriate forward / backward orientation, the denomination selection key associated with the bill of opposite forward / backward orientation can be selected. , whereby the associated denomination counter, and / or the accumulated value counter are appropriately increased and the system resumes operation. Alternatively, in embodiments where the system is capable of determining the denomination regardless of the forward / backward orientation, the continuation key 1065 or the third key may be depressed, whereby the system resumes its operation and the counter denomination and / or the total value counter, is increased according to the denomination identified by the system. In one-way systems any ticket oriented to the reverse will be an unidentified ticket. In double-direction units, bills oriented backwards will be properly identified by the discrimination unit. An example of a two-way system is described in US Patent No. 5, 295.196. The ability to detect and correct bills turned upside down is important because the Federal Reserve may expeditiously require that the money it receives be oriented in the same forward / backward direction. In a multiple outlet receptacle system, the orientation mode can be used to route all notes oriented in the forward direction towards an exit receptacle, and all notes oriented in the reverse direction towards another exit receptacle. . In one-way discriminators, upside-down tickets can be routed to an inspection station so that the operator manually returns them and the unoriented, upside-down notes can pass through the system again. In systems capable of identifying bills fed in both directions, forward and backward ("two-way systems"), the identified upside-down bills can be routed directly to an appropriate outlet receptacle. For example, in double-address systems, banknotes can be classified both by their forward / backward orientation and by their denomination, for example, bills of $ 1 forward to bag # 1, $ 1 bills to backwards, to bag # 2, $ 5 bills to 5 forward, to bag # 3, and so on, or simply by its denomination, regardless of the forward / backward orientation, for example, all $ 1 bills towards bag # 1 regardless of the forward / backward orientation, all $ 2 bills toward the bag ^ LO # 2, etc.

(F) Suspicion Mode In addition to the above modes, a suspicion mode can be activated in relation to these modes, by which one or more authentication tests can be performed on the bills that are in a stack. When a ticket fails in an authentication test, the system will stop and the suspect or failed ticket is the last ticket 20 transported to the exit receptacle. The suspect ticket can be removed after the exit receptacle and set aside.

(G) Other Modes 25 A deposit mode test can be activated when a user presses a dedicated key on a machine. This mode allows the system to process checks, coupons for loan payments, and other means for proof of deposits. Another key can be pressed to activate the bank source mode. When the machine is in this mode, the output documents are separated into documents from a source and documents from other sources. For example, checks can be separated into checks issued from the owner bank of the machine and checks issued by other financial institutions. That separation can be achieved by using two trays or a tray, whereby the machine stops when an "external" check is detected (ie, a check from a financial institution that is not the owner). Finally, the user can press a key to enter the stored images mode into the machine. When it works in this mode, the system saves images deposits, in the machine, which is later questioned for data extraction by the central accounting system. This mode facilitates data congestion between the system and the central accounting system. In the same way, one or more of the above described modes can be activated at the same time. For example, the forward / backward orientation mode can be activated at the same time. In that case, the banknotes that are either facing backward or facing opposite forward / backward will be marked. According to one embodiment, when a ticket is marked, for example, by stopping the transport engine, where the marked ticket is the last ticket deposited in the exit receptacle, the discrimination and authentication unit indicates to the operator why the ticket was marked. ticket. This indication can be achieved, for example, by illuminating with an appropriate light, generating an appropriate sound, and / or presenting an appropriate message in the display section 1063 (Figure 48). That indication could include, for example, "unidentified", "strange", "failed magnetic test", "failed UV test", "no safety strip", etc. The means for introducing the value of unidentified notes or other documents, were discussed above in relation to Figure 48 and the modes of operation discussed above. Now several additional means will be discussed in relation to Figures 49-53. Figure 49a is a front view of a control panel 2302 similar to that of Figure 48. The control panel 2302 comprises a display area 2304, various selection elements of the denomination 2306a-g in the form of keys, keys offset to the left and to the right 2308a-b, a selection accept element 2310, and a continuation selection element 2312. Each naming selection element 2306a-g has an indication means associated therewith. In the., Figure 49a, the indicating means are in the form of small lights or lamps 2314a-g such as LED. In Figure 49, the light 2314d associated with the $ 10 denomination key 2306d is illuminated to indicate to the operator that a denomination of $ 10 is being suggested. Alternatively, instead of the lamps 2314a-g being separated from the naming keys 2306a-g, the naming keys could be in the form of unlimited keys whereby one of the keys 2306a-g would illuminate to suggest their corresponding denomination . Instead of, or in addition, of the unlimited lamps 2314a-g or keys, • the display area 2304 may contain a message to indicate or suggest a name to the operator. In Figure 49a, the display area 2304 contains the message "$ 10?" to suggest the denomination of $ 10. In the embodiment of Figure 48, the display area 1063 can be used to suggest a name to the operator, without the need for lights and unlimited keys. The value of some document can also be entered through the keyboard. Figure 49b illustrates a control panel similar to that of Figure 49a except that the naming keys' have been replaced by numeric keys and a decimal point, which are collectively referred to as 2314h. The system uses additional lights 2314i-k to suggest the user to enter values. The rest of the functions of the panel are as described above. This modality is particularly useful in the processing of documents of financial institutions, although it can be used for money as such. The control panel 2402 of Figure 50a is similar to the control panel 2302 of Figure 49a; however, the naming selection elements 2406a-g, the scroll keys 2408a-b, the accept key 2410, and the continuation key 2412 are keys presented in a touch screen environment. To select any given key, the operator touches the screen in the area of the key to be selected. The operation of a touch screen is described in greater detail in Figure 55. The system may contain indicating means to suggest to the operator a name. For example, an appropriate message may be presented in a display area 2404. Alternatively or additionally, the display means may include means for highlighting one of the naming selection elements 2406a-g. For example, the appearance of one of the naming selection elements may be altered in such a way that it appears brighter or darker than the rest of the naming selection elements or by inverting the visual display screen (e.g. the light portions in dark and turning the dark portions into clear or interchanging the background and foreground colors). Alternatively,. * a designated naming selection element may be highlighted by surrounding it with a box, such as box 2414 surrounding the $ 10, 2406d key. Figure 50b illustrates a control panel similar to that of Figure 50a except that the naming keys have been replaced by numeric keys and a decimal point, which is collectively referred to as 2313h. The rest of the functions of the panel is as described above. This modality is particularly useful in the processing of documents of financial institutions although it can be used for money as such. Another embodiment of a control panel 2502 is shown in Figure 51a. The control panel 2502 has several naming indication elements 2506a-g in the form of a menu list 2505, shift keys 2508a-b, an accept selection element 2510, and a continuation selection element 2512. The several selection elements can be, for example, physical keys or keys displayed in a touch screen environment. For example, the menu list 2505 can be displayed in the activated display area of a non-touch screen, while the scroll keys 2508a-b, the accept key 2510, and the continuation key 2512 can be physical keys or keys displayed on a touch screen. In that environment a user can * accept a naming selection by pressing the accept 2510 key when the desired item indicating the denomination is highlighted and can use the scroll keys 2508a-b to vary the denomination indicated by the item that is highlighted. Alternatively, the elements indicating denomination 2506a-g can be selection elements when presented as active keys on a touch screen. In this embodiment, a given denomination element can be highlighted and / or selected by touching the screen in the area of one of the naming selection elements 2506a-g. Touching the screen in the area of one of the naming selection elements may simply cause the appropriate naming selection element to be highlighted, requesting that it be touched and / or pressing the accept 2510 key or alternatively it may constitute acceptance of the associated naming selection element, without requesting separate selection of the accept key 2510. The discrimination and authentication unit may contain indicating means, to suggest a name to the operator. For example, an appropriate message may be presented in a visual presentation area 2504. Alternatively or additionally, the indicating means may include means for highlighting one of the naming indicator elements 2506a-g. For example, the appearance of one of the denomination indicator elements can be altered, for example, by making it lighter or darker than the rest of the denomination indicating elements or by inverting the visual presentation screen (for example, by making the light portions dark and making the dark portions clear, or exchanging the background and foreground colors). In Figure 51a, the biased marks are used to symbolize the alternation of the presentation of the element 2506d indicating the denomination of $ 10 in relation to the other elements indicating naming, using for example a reverse display screen. Figure 51b illustrates a control panel similar to that of Figure 51a except that the naming selection elements have been replaced by numerical and one decimal selection elements, which are collectively referred to as 2506h. The rest of the functions of the panel is as described above. This modality is particularly useful in the processing of documents of financial institutions, although it can be used for money as such. The control panel 2602 of Figure 52 is similar to the control panel 2502 of Figure 51; however, control panel 2602 does not have a separate display area. Additionally, the order of the naming indicator elements 2606a-g of the menu list 2605 has varied relative to those of the menu list 2505. The order of the naming-selection element can be defined by the user ( that is, the operator can preset the order in which the denominations should be listed) or it can be determined by the unit of discrimination and authentication and be based, for example, on the historical occurrence of which -no situations have not been presented. identification of each denomination, based on the name of the most recently detected non-identification situation, based on the correlation values calculated for a given unidentified ticket, or perhaps based on a random selection. These criteria will be described in more detail later. The control panel 2702 of Figures 53a and 53b comprises a display area 2704, an accept key 2710, a next or another 2711 key, and a continuation key 2712. Alternatively, the accept key may be designated a "YES" key while the key of another denomination can be designated as a "NO" key. These keys can be physical keys or keys displayed on the screen. The system indicates or suggests a denomination by displaying an appropriate message in the display area 2704. If the operator wishes to accept this naming suggestion, the accept key 2710 can be selected. If otherwise, the operator wishes to select a different denomination, the key of another denomination 2711 can be selected. If in the example given in Figure 53a the operator wishes to select a denomination different from S5 indicated in the visual presentation area 2704, the key of another denomination 2711 can be selected as which results in the indication of a different denomination, for example $ 2 as shown in Figure 55b. The "other denomination" key 2711 can be repeatedly selected to scroll through the different denominations. The control panel 2802 of Figure 54 is similar to that of Figures 53a-b and further comprises scroll keys 2803a-b. These scroll keys 2808a-b may be provided in addition to, or in lieu of, the key 2811 of another denomination. The order in which the denominations are suggested to an operator, for example, in Figures 53 and 54, can be based on a variety of criteria that will be discussed later, such as the criterion and order defined by the user, historical information, denomination of the previous ticket, correlation values, or information of previous situation of non-identification. Now several modes of operation of the control panels will be discussed, such as those of Figures 48 and 49-54. These can be used in conjunction with a variety of discriminators and explorers. In particular, several methods for confronting the value of unidentified notes will be discussed in relation to these control panels. As discussed above, by > example, in relation to several operating modes described previously, when a system finds an unidentified ticket, that is, when a system is unable to determine or indicate the denomination of a ticket, any counter that tracks the number or value of each denomination of tickets or of the total value of processed tickets, will not include the unidentified ticket. Traditionally, some of the unidentified notes have to be set aside and counted manually, the operator is asked to add or add their values to the totals provided by the discrimination and authentication unit or the complete imaging unit. As discussed above, this can lead to errors and reduced efficiency. To counteract this problem, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, means are provided to incorporate the value of the unidentified banknotes. In single-bag systems, the confrontation can be achieved without stopping the machine and suspending the operation of the system when each situation of non-identification is found, indicating to the operator 5 to introduce the value of the unidentified bill, and then resuming operation. In multi-outlet bag systems, unidentified banknotes can be confronted, either non-stop or after processing of all banknotes placed in the entry hopper or after finishing the process of some other lots of designated banknotes. Under the first approach, the operation of the system is suspended when each unidentified ticket is detected with or without sending the unidentified ticket to a special location. The operator is then instructed to enter the value of the unidentified ticket, whereupon the system resumes operation. Based on the value indicated by the operator, appropriate meters are increased. Under the second approach, any unidentified bills are bound to a special location while the discrimination and authentication unit, or the entire image processing unit, continues processing the subsequent notes. When all the tickets have been processed, the operator is instructed to confront the values of any unidentified ticket that has intervened. For example, assume that a stack of fifty bills is. placed in the entrance hopper and processed with four unidentified notes that are sent to a separate outlet receptacle, from the receptacle or receptacles in which are the notes whose denominations have been determined. After all the fifty bills have been processed, the operation of the transport mechanism is stopped and the operator is instructed to confront the value of the four unidentified notes. The methods for comparing these four unidentified notes will be discussed later after describing various means and methods indicating and / or indicating the denomination. Alternatively, instead of waiting until all the bills in the stack have been processed, the system can instruct the operator to confront the value of any unidentified note while the remaining bills are processed. When the operator indicates the denominations of the unidentified banknotes, the appropriate counters are augmented to reflect the value of the unidentified banknotes. 15 Now we will discuss various modalities of means to 1 allowing the operator to indicate the value of a banknote or marked document, such as an unidentified one and / or to indicate to the operator the value of a marked ticket such as an unidentified ticket. A first method was discussed above in relation to several modes of operation and in relation to Figure 48. According to one embodiment, the control panel of Figure 48 comprises means indicating the denomination, in the form of the elements of denomination selection 2064a-g to enable the operator to indicate the denomination of a ticket, but does not additionally comprise means for indicating to the operator the denomination of a particular ticket. Under this method, the operator examines an unidentified ticket. If the ticket is acceptable, the operator selects the denomination selection element, associated with the denomination of the unidentified ticket and the appropriate counters are augmented to reflect the value of the unidentified ticket. For example, if the operator determines that an unidentified bill is an acceptable $ 10 bill, the operator can press the SIO 2064c selection item of Figure 48. If the system operation had been suspended, the selection of a selection of Denomination causes system operation to resume. In a machine that performs the confrontation while it is working (that is, one that suspends operation in the detection of each unidentified note), if the operator determines that a particular unidentified note is unacceptable, a selection element may be selected. Then, to cause the system to resume operation without adversely affecting the status of the counters. Under this approach, the selection elements of the denomination provide the operator with means to indicate the value of an unidentified bill. Additional examples of means for indicating the value of unidentified notes are provided in Figures 49-54. For example, in Figures 49-52, in accordance with a modality, a denomination can be indicated in a siirdlar way, by pressing one of the selection elements of the denomination. Alternatively or additionally, a denomination can be indicated by selecting one of the selection elements of the denomination, and selecting an accept key. Another example of a method of indicating a particular naming selection element would be to use one or more scroll keys. The selection of a denomination selection element may be indicated, for example, by lights 2314 of Figure 51, or by highlighting a particular selection element as in Figures 50-52. Alternatively, a displayed message may be used, as in Figures 49-51, 53, and 54, to indicate which denomination is being selected at the time. The scroll keys could be used to alter the name that was selected at that time, for example, by altering the light 2314 that is illuminated, the selection item that is highlighted, or the name that appears in the message displayed. The selection of an accept key, while selecting a particular denomination, can be used to indicate the selected denomination, the discrimination and authentication unit, or the entire image processing unit. In addition to the means to enable the operator to indicate the denomination of one or more unidentified notes, a document processing system may be provided with one or more means for indicating to the operator as to the denomination of an unidentified ticket. These means may be means used to indicate which denomination is selected at the time, for example, the lights 2314 of Figure 49, the highlight of Figures 50-52, and / or the displayed message of Figures 49-51, 53. and 54. A number of methods that can be used to indicate to the operator to enter the value of one or more non-identified notes will now be described. A system that contains means to indicate to an operator the value of a ticket or unidentified document, you can base your selection of the denomination indicated to the operator, in a variety of criteria. In accordance with one embodiment, a default designation or a sequence of denominations may be used to indicate a name to an operator. For example, the system can start by indicating the lowest denomination, for example $ 1. Alternatively, the operator can start by indicating the first denomination in a predefined sequence or in a menu list. The order of the denominations in the sequence or in the menu list can be a default order, for example, by increasing or decreasing the naming order, the order defined by the user, the order defined by the manufacturer.

In accordance with another modality, a denomination that is going to be indicated to the operator, is determined on a random basis. The system simply selects randomly or pseudo-randomly, one of a plurality of denominations and suggests this denomination to the operator. The denomination indicated to an operator can remain the same for all unidentified notes or alternatively, a new denomination can be selected randomly, for each unidentified note that is found. Yes. the operator agrees that an unidentified bill, given, is of the denomination suggested by the indicator means, and finds that the unidentified, particular bill is acceptable, the operator can simply choose the item of acceptance or the item of selection of denomination, corresponding, depending on the modality of the control panel used. If the operator finds that a particular ticket is acceptable, but has the suggested name, the operator can alter the denomination that is selected, for example, by altering the suggested name, presented, using the scroll keys and scrolling through the plurality of selection and / or indication elements, of the denomination, or by directly selecting the appropriate denomination, by pressing or touching the appropriate denomination selection element. If the operator finds that a ticket is not acceptable, the operator can simply select a continuation key. In accordance with another modality, a denomination that is to be indicated to the operator, is determined on a basis to the denomination of the last ticket that was identified by the system. For example, suppose that the tenth bill in a stack was determined by the system as a $ 10 bill. The eleventh ticket was an unidentified ticket and the operator indicated that it was a $ 5 bill, and the twelfth was an unidentified ticket. In accordance with this modality, the system would suggest to the operator that the twelfth ticket is a $ 10 bill. The operator can accept this suggestion or alter the suggested name as described above. In accordance with another modality, the denomination to be indicated to the operator is determined on a basis to the denomination of the last unidentified note as indicated by the operator. For example, suppose that the tenth bill was an unidentified bill and that the operator indicated that it was a $ 5 bill, the eleventh bill in the stack was determined by the system as a $ 10 bill, and the twelfth bill was an unidentified bill . In accordance with this modality, the system would suggest to the operator that the twelfth ticket is a $ 5 bill. The operator can accept this suggestion or alter the suggested name as described above. According to another modality, a denomination that will be indicated to the operator, is determined based on the denomination of the immediately preceding ticket, regardless of whether the denomination of that ticket was determined by the system or was indicated by the operator. For example, suppose that the tenth bill in a stack was determined by the system as a $ 10 bill, the eleventh bill was an unidentified bill but the operator indicated that it was a $ 5 bill, and the twelfth bill was an unidentified bill . In accordance with this modality, the system would suggest to the operator that the twelfth ticket is a $ 5 bill. The operator can accept this suggestion or alter the suggested name as described above. According to another embodiment, a denomination to be indicated to the operator is determined based on historical information concerning unidentified notes such as statistical information regarding previously unidentified notes. For example, suppose that for a given system 180 no unidentified bills have been found since the system was put into service. In accordance with this modality, the information concerning these unidentified notes is stored in the memory. Assume that of these 180 unidentified bills, 100 were indicated by the operator as $ 5 bills, 50 were $ 10, and the remaining 30 were $ 20. In accordance with this modality, the system would suggest to the operator that the unidentified ticket was a $ 5 bill. The operator can accept this suggestion or alter the suggested name as described above. Variations of the data that constitute the historical basis can be made. For example, the historical basis in accordance with this modality can be all the situations of non-identification that have been found since the machine could be in service, as in the case of the previous example, the last predetermined number of unidentified banknotes, which have been detected for example, the last 100 unidentified banknotes that have been detected, or the last predetermined number of banknotes processed, for example, the unidentified banknotes found in the last 1,000 tickets processed. Alternatively, the historical base can be adjusted by the manufacturer based on historical data recovered from a number of systems. According to another embodiment, a denomination to be indicated to the operator is determined based on a comparison of the information retrieved from an unidentified ticket, given, and a master information associated with the genuine tickets. For example, in some systems the denomination of a bill is determined by scanning the bill, generating a scanned pattern from the retrieved information, through the scanning step, and comparing the scanned pattern with one or more master patterns associated with one or more genuine tickets that are associated with one or more denominations. If the explored pattern matches enough with one of the master patterns, the ticket denomination is indicated or determined to be the denomination associated with the best matching master pattern. However, in some systems, a scanned pattern must meet a certain maximum degree of coincidence or correlation before the denomination of a ticket can be said. In these systems the notes whose explored pattern does not match sufficiently with one of the master patterns are not indicated, that is, they are unidentified notes. In accordance with this modality, the system would suggest to the operator that an unidentified ticket had the denomination associated with the master pattern that most closely coincided with its explored pattern, although the coincidence was not sufficient to indicate the denomination of the ticket without the presence of the operator. . The operator can accept this suggestion or alter the suggested name as described above. For example, in a system similar to the one described in U.S. Patent No. 5,296,196, the system may indicate to the operator the denomination associated with the master pattern that has the highest correlation with the scanned pattern and associated with the unidentified bill, given. For example, if the highest correlation for a ticket is below 800, the ticket is an unidentified ticket. In that case, assume that the highest correlation is 790 and this correlation is associated with a $ 1 bill. When this unidentified bill is going to be confronted, the system would suggest to the operator that the unidentified bill was a $ 1 bill. In accordance with another modality, a denomination that will be indicated to the operator, is determined based on pre-adjusted criteria, established by the manufacturer. For example, in Figure 62, the elements that indicate the denomination are arranged in order of increasing denomination.The system may be designed to perform a default action, so that one of these elements? highlighted initially when do not go to confront unidentified bills. For example, for each unidentified bill you can initially select the element of $ 10, 2506d. Alternatively, the system may be designed to leave the first naming selection element by default lists, for example, denomination element 2506a of $ 1. According to another modality, a denomination that will be indicated to the operator, is determined based on criteria defined by the user, adjusted by the operator of a document processing system. For example in Figure 51, the operator can designate the system to be by default, so that initially one of the denomination elements of the denomination is highlighted, when no unidentified banknotes are going to be confronted. For example, for each unidentified ticket the operator can designate that element $ 2506d will be selected initially. The operator may be allowed to adjust the unidentified banknote denomination, by default, for example, in an adjustment mode entered before the banknotes are found in a stack. In addition to the two forms discussed above by means of which an initial denomination is indicated to the operator, in relation to the confrontation of an unidentified ticket, in accordance with other modalities, one or more alternative denominations may be suggested. For example, in accordance with the method by which the operator is suggested the initial ticket, based on the denomination associated with a master pattern that has the highest correlation with respect to a scanned pattern, if the operator rejects the initial suggestion, the The system may be designed to then suggest an alternative denomination based on the master pattern associated with a genuine banknote of a different denomination, having the next highest correlation value. If the operator rejects the second suggestion, the system may be designed to then suggest a second alternative denomination based on the master pattern associated with a genuine ticket of a different denomination, having the next highest correlation value, and so on. For example, suppose that the highest correlation was associated with a $ 1 bill, the second highest correlation was associated with a $ 10 bill, and the third highest correlation was associated with a $ 50 bill. In accordance with this modality, the system would initially suggest that the unidentified bill was a $ 1 bill. If the operator determined that the unidentified bill was not $ 1, the system would later suggest that the unidentified bill was $ 10. If the operator determined that the unidentified bill was not a $ 10 bill, the system would later suggest that the unidentified bill was a $ 50 bill. For example, in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 64a-b, the system would first ask if the unidentified bill was a $ 1 bill, presented the message "$ I?" in the visual presentation area 2704. If the unidentified bill was a $ 1 bill, the operator would press the 2710 key to accept or yes. If the unidentified ticket was not a $ 1 bill, the operator would press the other denomination or the 2711 key would not, in which case, the display area would display the message "$ 10?" and so on. Alternatively, the naming selection elements may be arranged in such a way that their relative order is based on the results of the correlation. For example, considering the menu list 2605 of Figure 63, the naming elements can be ordered in the order of decreasing correlation values, for example, according to the previous example the denomination element of $ 1 would be listed first, the $ 10 denomination element would be listed as second, the $ 50 denomination element would be listed as third, and so on. Alternatively, the naming elements can be listed in the reverse order. According to another embodiment, the naming element associated with the highest correlation could be listed in the middle of the list, surrounded by the naming elements associated with the second and third highest correlations, and so on. For the previous example, element 2606a of $ 1 would be listed in the center of the menu list 2605 surrounded by element 2606d of $ 10 on one side and by element 2606f of $ 50 on the other side. In the same way, the order in which the denominations are suggested to the operator and / or that are arranged in the control panel, can be based on other criteria such as those described above, such as the information of the previous ticket (for example, the last ticket, the last unidentified ticket, the last name identified), the historical information, an order defined by the user, an order defined by the manufacturer, and a random order. For example, using the historical data example given above, based on 180 unidentified bills (100 unidentified $ 5 bills, 50 unidentified $ 10 bills and 30 unidentified $ 20 bills), the order in which the denominations are suggested to the Operator can be 5 first $ 5, then $ 10, and then $ 20. Alternatively, using the information of the last ticket and assuming the following sequence of tickets ($ 2, $ 5, $ 5, $ 5, $ 20, $ 10, no $ 50 identified ticket); the system would suggest denominations for the last unidentified note in the following r: $ 50, $ 10, $ 20, $ 5, $ 2. Likewise, the r in which the denominations are arranged on a control panel, such as in the Figures 50 and 52, can be determined based on that information, for example, in accnce with the rs described above with relationship to the correlation values used. For example, 1 denominations can be listed in the order of indication suggested above (for example, $ 5, $ 10, $ 20, in the example of historical information and $ 50, $ 10, $ 20, $ 5, $ 2 in the example of the last ticket). Alternatively you can list in the reverse order. Alternatively, they can be arranged with the first name suggested in the center of the list and selected or initially highlighted. This first suggested name may be surrounded by the second and third suggested names which may be at your times surrounded by the fourth and fifth suggested names, and so on. A default sequence can be used to provide the order of some of the remaining names that are not detected by a particular indication criterion, in a given situation. In the previous examples, the denominations could be arranged in a menu list in the following order: $ 2, $ 1, $ 10, $ 5, $ 20, $ 50 $ 100 for the example of historical information and $ 1, $ 5, $ 10, $ 50, $ 20, $ 2, $ 100. In general, an example of a list order in accordance with this approach could be, from top to bottom: 6th priority or suggested name, 4th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th. The modalities that have the respective order in which the denominations are suggested to the operator and / or are presented in the control panel, will probably help the operator by reducing the projected number of times that the operator will need to press one of the scroll keys and / or the "OTHER DENOMINATION" or "NO" key. Now several methods will be described in relation to the confrontation of unidentified notes in machines with multiple output bags, after all the bills in a stack have been processed. Recalling a previous example in which four unidentified notes were separated from a stack of fifty bills and in which the machine stopped after processing all fifty bills, the system then instructs the operator to compare the value of the four unidentified notes . For example, assume that the unidentified bills correspond to the 5th, 20th, 30th, and 31st bills in the stack and that they were bills of $ 2, $ 50, $ 10, and $ 2, respectively. The degree of intelligence used by the system to indicate to the operator that it confronts the value of the unidentified bills can vary depending on the particular modality that is used. In accordance with a modality, the operator can press or select the selection elements of the denomination, which correspond to the denominations of the unidentified notes, without any indication of the system relative to their respective denominations. For example, when using the control panel of Figure 48, the operator would have pressed the selection element of $ 2, 64g twice, the selection element of $ 10, 1064c once, and the selection element of $ 50, 1064e a time. The system may or may not inform the operator that four unidentified notes must be confronted and may or may not limit the operator to enter four denominations. Similarly, in other modes, the operator can use the scroll keys to cause the desired name to be selected and then press the accept key. Alternatively, a numeric keypad can be provided to allow the operator to indicate the number of banknotes of each denomination that have not been identified. For example, in the example above, the operator could use the scroll keys so that the denomination of $ 2 would be selected, then press "2" on the numeric keypad for the number of $ 2 bills identified in the lot, and then press a key to enter or accept. Then the operator could use the scroll keys so that the denomination of $ 10 would be selected, then press "1" on the numeric keypad for the number of $ 10 bills not identified in the lot, and then press an enter or accept key, and so on. The keyboard may comprise, for example, keys or selection elements associated with the digits 0-9. Alternatively, the system may indicate to the operator as to the denomination of each unidentified ticket, for example, using one of the indication methods discussed above, for example, by default, random, user-defined criteria, criteria defined by the user. manufacturer, information of the previous ticket (last ticket, last unidentified ticket, last identified name), historical information, comparison of information explored with master information (for example, the highest correlation). For example, the system can interrogate the examiner serially as to the denomination of each unidentified note, for example, the screen may initially ask "Is the first unidentified note a $ 2 bill?". Depending on the control panel mode being used, the operator could then select "ACCEPT" or "YES" or select the $ 2 denomination selection item, select "ANOTHER DENOMINATION" or "NO" or use the keys If the user selects the appropriate denomination selection element or if the operator finds that the first bill is unacceptable, the operator can place the first unidentified note on one side and select "CONTINUE". The system can then ask the operator regarding the denomination of the second unidentified bill, and so on. The denomination indicated to the operator would depend on the indication criteria used. For example, assume that the indication criteria were the denomination of the preceding ticket and further assume that in the example of the fourth unidentified ticket, provided above, the first bill was a $ 2 bill, the second bill was a $ 10 bill, the third ticket was a $ 1 bill, the fourth bill was a $ 1 bill, the nineteenth was a $ 50 bill, the twenty-ninth bill was a $ 10 bill, and as mentioned above, the thirtieth bill was a $ 10 bill. The system would then ask the operator if the first unidentified bill was a $ 1 bill. Since the first unidentified note is a $ 2 bill, the operator would select "NO", "ANOTHER DENOMINATION", the selection element of $ 2 would be moved or pressed, depending on the modality used. If the keys "NO" or "ANOTHER DENOMINATION" were pressed, the system would review the preceding bills in reverse order and suggest the first name found that had not yet been suggested, in this case a $ 10 bill. If the "NO" or "ANOTHER DENOMINATION" key was pressed again, the system would then suggest a $ 2 bill. A predetermined default sequence can be used when the previous ticket information does not contain the desired denomination. Once the operator indicates that the first unidentified bill is a $ 2 bill, the system would then indicate to the operator whether the second unidentified bill was a $ 50 bill. Since the second unidentified bill was indeed a $ 50 bill, the operator would select "ACCEPT", "YES" or select the $ 50 denomination selection item, depending on the selected mode. The system would then suggest that the third unidentified bill was a $ 10 bill and the operator would similarly indicate acceptance of the suggested $ 10 denomination. Finally, the system would suggest that the fourth unidentified bill was a $ 10 bill. Since the last unidentified bill was a $ 2 bill, the operator would have rejected the $ 10 suggestion and indicated that the fourth unidentified bill was a $ 2 bill as described above. The operation of a document processing system that uses different indication criteria, would proceed in a similar manner and as described above with respect to each of the described methods of indication. Although discussed above with respect to unidentified banknotes, the above embodiments could also be employed in relation to other types of banknotes marked such as banknotes with the face upside down, banknotes with a forward / backward orientation, inverted, unusable banknotes, banknotes suspects, etc. Referring now to Figure 55, the input and output (1/0) of the touch screen 2956 includes a touch screen 2960 mounted on a graphics display screen 2961. In one embodiment, the 2961 display screen is a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen with backlighting. The display screen can be, for example, 128 vertical image elements and 256 horizontal image elements. The 2961 display screen contains an integrated character generator that allows the 2961 display screen to display text and numbers that have a type and size predefined by the manufacturer of the display screen. In addition, a controller such as a CPU is programmed to allow the loading and displaying of custom types and forms (e.g., schematic key forms) on the 2961 display screen. The 2961 display screen is commercially available as the Part No. GMF24012EBTW at Stanley Electric Company, Ltd. Equipment Export Section, Tokyo, Japan. The touch screen 2960 may be an X-Y matrix touch screen that forms a matrix of the touch sensitive points. The touch screen 2960 includes two closely spaced but perpendicular layers of optical grade polyester film, each of which has a set of parallel transparent conductors. The sets of conductors in the two separate polyester sheets are oriented at right angles to each other, such that when they overlap they form a grid. Along the outer edge of each polyester layer is a busbar that interconnects the supported conductors on that layer. In this way, the electrical signals from the conductors are transmitted to the controller. When the pressure of a finger or a stylet is applied to the upper polyester layer, the set of conductors mounted on the upper layer is flexed downward and comes into contact with the set of conductors mounted on the lower polyester layer. In this contact, these sets of conductors act as a mechanical closure of a switch element to complete an electrical circuit that is detected by the controller through the respective busbars at the edges of the two polyester layers, thereby providing a means for detect the X and Y coordinates of the switch closure. A 2960 matrix touch screen of the above type is commercially available from Dynapro Thin Film Products, Inc. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As illustrated in Figure 55, the touch screen 2960 forms a matrix of ninety-six optically transparent switching elements, having six columns and sixteen rows. The controller is programmed to divide the breaker elements found in each column in groups of three to form five switches in each column. The activation of one of these three switching elements that form a switch activates the switch. The switch element that is higher in each column remains as such and is not used. Although the 2960 touchscreen uses an XY matrix of optically transparent switches to detect touch location, alternative types of touchscreens can replace the 2960 touchscreen. These alternative touchscreens use well-known techniques such as crossbeams of infrared light, waves acoustic surface, capacitance detection, and resistive membranes to detect the location of a touch. The structure and operation of the alternative touch screens is described and illustrated in the North American Patents Numbers. 5,317,140; 5,297,030; 5,231,381, 5,198,976; 5,184,115; 5,105,186; 4,931,782; 4,928,094; 4,851,616; 4,811,004; 4,806,709; and 4,782,328, which are incorporated herein by reference. The details for carrying out a document transaction are illustrated in Figure 56a. The functionality described below can reside in a single location or can be divided through several locations in the document processing system, such as in the full-image scanner, in the Central Office computer, and on a computer staff connected to the document processing system. The user loads the mixed documents in step a on the machine. This can be done, as discussed above, by placing the documents in the receptacle 16 of the machine. Then, still in step lia, the user initiates the processing of the documents. This can be done, for example, when the user presses a start key on a touch screen of the communications panel 26, as discussed above, to initiate a transaction. It is understood that "document transaction" includes not only all of the documents described above, but also all forms of storage media that include all forms of magnetic storage means. { for example, smart cards, debit cards), all forms of optical storage media (for example, compact discs (CDs)) and all forms of storage media in the solid state. Stored in the media is an amount that indicates a quantity of funds. The machine attempts to identify the document in step 11b. If step 11b fails to identify the document, several alternatives are possible depending on the exact implementation selected for the machine. For example, as previously described, if you fail to identify the document, the system may use two receptacles and place an unidentified document in an "unread" receptacle. Alternatively, in the lid step, the machine can be stopped in such a way that the user can remove the "unread" document immediately. In this alternative, if the document can not be received by the machine, the unidentified document is diverted, for example, to a return slot in such a way that it can be removed from the machine by the user. Also, the image can be displayed in a video terminal of the cash register, in such a way that the cashier can analyze the image without removing the document. Alternatively, the cashier can physically remove the document from the output receptacle, inspect the document and enter the missing data so that the document can be processed. After completing these steps, the system returns to step 11b to identify the other loaded documents. In the case in which the user wishes to deposit an "unread" document that has been returned to the user, the user can press the key of the value and number of that document and deposit it in an envelope for later verification. A message on the display screen may warn the user of this option. For example, if four $ 10 bills are returned, then the user returns them to an envelope, you can press a "$ 10" key on the keyboard four times. The user then receives immediate credit for all documents named and authenticated by the scanning device. Credit for "unread" documents that have been re-deposited is provided only after the bank has removed the envelope and manually verified the amount. Alternatively, at least preferred users can be given full credit immediately, subject to subsequent verification, or immediate credit can be given up to a certain dollar limit amount. In the case of false documents that are not returned to the user, the user can notify the detection of a suspicion of forgery in the machine or later through a written notice or a personal call, depending on the preferences of the financial institution .

If step 11b identifies the documents, then, in the lie step, the machine attempts to authenticate the documents to determine if the documents are genuine. The authentication process is described in more detail later. If the documents are not genuine, then the system proceeds to one of three steps depending on the option that a user has selected for their machine. In step llf, the system can continue to operate and identify suspicious documents that are in the stack. In this alternative, only one receptacle is used for all documents, regardless of whether they are verified, unread, suspected of falsification. On the other hand, in step llg the machine can eject the classified money, to a rejection bin. The machine can also return the suspect money in step llh directly to the user. This is done by diverting the money to the return slot. Also, the machine keeps a count of the total number of false documents. If this total reaches a certain threshold value, an alarm condition will be generated. The alarm condition can be handled, for example, by turning on a light on the machine or by alerting the central office. As mentioned above, the system can use a single receptacle to store the documents. If the system uses only one receptacle, then the different documents are identified within the single receptacle, placing different color markers on top of the different documents. These documents are inserted into the bill transport path so that they follow the respective bills that are to be inserted into the receptacle. Specifically, a first marker, for example a marker of a first color, is inserted to indicate that the document is suspected of forgery and that it will not be returned to the user. A second type of marker, for example, a marker of a second color, may be inserted to indicate that the document is suspected of forgery. A third type of marker, for example, of a third color, is inserted to indicate that a batch of marked documents represents a deposit whose verified quantity did not agree with the declared balance of the user. Because this third type of marker identifies a batch of documents instead of a single document, it is necessary to insert a marker both at the beginning and at the end of a marked batch. The size of the marker may vary, contain bar codes, or it may vary in color to easily identify different types of documents such as checks and money. If the document is authenticated, the total Btotai account AND the BCTentai tray account (where "i" is the "nth" tray) is incremented in the .lso. The total Btotal account is used by the machine to establish the amount deposited by the user and the accounts of the trays are used to determine the amount of documents in a particular tray. The machine then determines if classification is required in step llj. If the answer is affirmative then the document is classified by denomination in step llk. Instead of using single or double trays, as described above, this option includes a tray for each denomination and a tray for each type of document such as checks and loan coupons. A tray would also be designated to receive a combination of documents. For example, a tray could be designed for bank deposit proof documents such as checks, loan coupons, and savings account deposit tokens. The classification is done through a classification and counting module which classifies the documents by placing each denomination in a specific tray. The classification algorithm used can be any well known in the art. After sorting in step llk or if the answer for step llj is negative, the machine proceeds to step 111. In step 111, the machine tests whether the document tray that is in use is full. That is, the machine compares B ^^ t ^ with the maximum allowed for a tray. If it is full, in step ll the machine determines if there is an empty document tray. If there is no empty document tray, available, in step llm the machine stops. The document is downloaded in step lln. If a document tray exists, empty, the machine switches to the empty tray and places the document in that tray in step llp. In this step, the system determines when the last document in the stack of deposited documents has been counted. If the count has been completed, the machine stops at step llq. The transport mechanism can also include an area for escrow storage where the document that is processed in a pending deposit transaction is saved until the transaction is completed. In this way, from step llq the system proceeds to the step lis to determine if a escrow has been enabled. If the escrow has not been enabled, the counting of the machine is accepted in step llu and the total amount Btot ^ is recorded to the user in step llv. If the escrow has been enabled, in step llr, the user is given the opportunity to accept the account. If the user decides not to accept the account, in step llt, the document is returned to the user. From step llt the machine proceeds to step lA where the user is given another opportunity to count the document. If the user decides to accept the account in step llr, the machine proceeds to the step llu where the account is accepted and to step llv where the total account is displayed to the user. At this point, the document posting transaction ends. The transaction of currencies is described in more detail in Figure 56f. As shown, a customer loads mixed coins into the system, in step 12a. The coins are classified, authenticated, and stored in bags, one at a time. In step 12b, the machine classifies the coins. The classification process is described in more detail later. In step 12c the machine determines whether the coin is authentic. This process is also described in greater detail later. If the coin is not authentic, the machine sends the coin to a rejection tray in step 12d and then proceeds to step 12i and determines whether the count and the classification have ended. If the currency is authentic, the counting of the coins Ctoai And the Cholsai bag count (where "i" represents the "nth" bag) is increased by one in step 12e. The Ctotal account of the system represents the total value of the coins deposited, while the stock account represents the number of coins in a stock exchange. After classifying and authenticating the coins, the system tries to place the coin in a bag, in step 12h. All coins can be placed in a bag or a bag can be used by denomination. Alternatively, any number of denominations could be placed in a bag, for example two. In step 12h the system checks if the limit of the bag has been reached. That is, the system compares Cbolsai with the default limit for a bag. If the limit has been reached for a bag that is in use (for example, bag A), the machine then checks if another bag (for example, bag B) is full, in step 12f. If bag B is full, the machine stops and the operator empties the bag in step 12g. If the other bag (for example, bag B) is not full, then, in step 12i, the machine switches to this bag and the coin is placed there. The machine then proceeds to step 12j where a test is performed to determine if the count has ended. In step 12j, the machine determines whether the classification has ended. This is achieved by detecting if there are additional coins to be sorted in the coin tray. If the classification has not ended, the system continues in step 12b counting and classifying the next coin. If the classification has been completed, in step 12k the machine verifies if the escrow option has been enabled. If so, in step 121, the machine asks the customer if he wishes to accept the account. If the customer answers affirmatively, in step 12m the machine accepts the Ctotai account and registers the total to the customer. If the customer answers with a negative response in step 121, then the machine returns the coins to the customer in step 12n and the count ends. If the envelopes have not been enabled, the machine verifies in step 12o whether the stop function has been pressed. If so, the machine stops. If the stop option has not been pressed, then the machine waits a certain period of time until it ends in step 12p and stops when this time period has been reached. The operation of the distribution step is now described in greater detail. As previously mentioned, in step 10c of the flow diagram of the Figure 2, the user distributes the deposited amount, whether the deposited amount is in the form of banknotes or coins.

This step is illustrated in detail in Figures 58b, 58c, and 58d. The machine introduces the funds in step 15k and makes Stoai (the total funds distributed) equal to any Btot? L in step 151. The user has the option to add more funds in step 15m. If the answer is affirmative, more funds are added. This process is described in detail later. If the answer is negative, the machine proceeds to step 13a where the user selects the amount and destination for the distribution of funds. The user is instructed by screen 52 to make these selections. The user then has several options for the distribution destinations. The user may select to proceed to step 13b wherein a quantity is transferred through certain storage means, for example, a smart card, and the storage means are automatically delivered to the user. Another option, in step 13c, is for a distributed amount to be for a user account, for example, an account in a grocery store. Another choice is to distribute an amount in the form of a loose document for the user, in step 13d or loose coins in step 13e. The user can also select to distribute the amount to creditors in step 13f or make payments of rights to the creditors, in step 13g. The user could make the payment of rights to financial institutions in step 13h. These could include payments, for example, of mortgages. The user may select to add the amount to some form of storage means, for example, a smart card, in step 13i. The user could also select to dispense bundled documents, in step 13j, wrapped coins, in step 13k, in the form of tokens, coupons, or user master documents in step 131, dispense a bank check or money order in the step 13m, or dispense a check to a customer's account in step 13n. For some of the distribution selections, for example, the distribution of loose tickets, the user may wish to have certain denominations returned to him or may wish to accept an assignment of the machine. For example, the user can choose to assign a deposit of $ 100 as four $ 20 bills, a $ 10 bill, and two $ 5 bills instead of accepting the default assignment of the machine. Distributions where the user has the choice of allocating the deposit by himself or accepting an assignment of the machine, follow route A. If the machine proceeds through the route A, in step 14a the user is asked if he wishes assign the amount. If the answer is affirmative the user will then decide the assignment in step 14c. However, if the answer in step 14a is negative, then the machine decides the assignment in step 14b. The allocation of the machine is appropriate to dispense all forms of bills, coins, tokens, coupons, user master documents and for storage media. On the other hand, some distributions, for example deposits to bank accounts, require the user to assign the deposit. For example, for a deposit of $ 500, a user can assign $ 250 to a savings account and $ 250 to a checking account. The distributions where the user is required to assign the deposited amount follow the route B. If the machine proceeds through the route B, in step 14c the user decides the assignment. The machine then continues in step 14c.

After step 14c or 14d, the machine proceeds to step 14d where the distributed amount is subtracted from the total amount deposited. In step 14e, the machine determines whether there is any amount to be distributed after the subtraction. If the answer is affirmative, the machine proceeds to step 13a where the user again decides a place to distribute the assigned amount. In step 14f, the user decides whether to close the transaction. If so, the transaction is closed. The closure completes step 10c of Figure 2. On the other hand, it may not be desired to finalize the transaction. For example, they may wish to add more cash, coins, or credit from other sources. In this case, the machine proceeds to step 15a of Figure 56d. In step 15a the user decides what additional source of funds to use. The user could select, in step 15b, withdraw funds from a line of credit, for example, from a credit card or bank. The user could select to deposit more tickets in step 15d. These steps were discussed previously. The user could select to write a check and have it scanned in step 15e, take a value from one form of storage means, for example, a smart card, in step 15f, add values of food stamps in step 15g , count credit card tokens in step 15h or coupon tokens in step 15i, or withdraw from a user's account in step 15j. In step 15k these additional funds are entered into the system. For example, the algorithm illustrated in Figure 56a is used to enter a quantity of additional funds of recently deposited bills. In step 151, this amount is added to the total amount of funds. In step 15m, a choice is offered to the user to add more funds. If the answer is affirmative, the system returns to step 15a where the user declares the source of additional funds. If the answer is negative, the machine returns to step 13a of Figure 56b where the user is again asked to determine the distribution of the funds. The machine then proceeds as described above. As described, the user can initiate a document transaction by directly depositing funds from some form of storage media including all forms of magnetic, optical, and solid state media. In the case of a document transaction using storage media, the user can insert their media into a media reader so that it can be read. The machine can then indicate to the user the quantity to be removed from the medium and to be distributed to other sources. Conversely, the machine could remove all available funds from the medium. In any case, once the deposit amount of the medium has been removed, the machine proceeds to step 15k in Figure 56d. The remaining steps are the same as described above. Also, as described above, the user can initiate a transaction by depositing funds from an external source. It is understood that external source includes a credit card account, a bank account, a savings account, or other similar accounts. The user can initiate a transaction using the touch screen to enter the account information, such as the account number r10 and the personal identification number (PIN) to access the account. The user could also initiate the transaction by moving an account identification card through a media reader, and then using the communications panel to enter the other data such as the amount that will be withdrawn from the account. Then the system 'proceeds to step 15k of Figure 56d. The remaining steps are the same as those described above. The alternative algorithm for the distribution of funds is illustrated in Figure 56e. In step 17a, the user indicates if there is a background more to process. If the answer is affirmative, in step 17b, the machine processes more funds. If the answer is negative, then in step 17c, the dispensing unit distributes the funds in accordance with its schedule. Then the operation of ia stops machine.

As described above, the processing system has the advantage of processing mixed money or documents, using the complete image scan and a discriminator. The deposits in the system are processed substantially immediately. In addition, the complete image of the scanned document can be communicated to a central office from which a two-way communication with a system located at a remote location is allowed. Finally, the processing system provides all the benefits of an automated payment and collection machine. An alternative mode of a control panel 3002 is shown in Figure 57a. A set of keys 3004 is used to enter numerical data that is shown on the screen that appears absent from the bill 3006. Alternatively, the user may enter the information of the name, using the keys 3008 that refer to the denominations that appear on the screen. In yet another mode of the control panel, a touch screen 3020 is used to enter the non-identifying information concerning the ticket 3022. The user can enter the missing information using a 3026 keypad or naming keys 3024 appearing on the touch screen . Additionally, the user could use a standard alphanumeric keyboard to complete the document image as required. Alternatively, if a personal computer terminal is used, a mouse could be used to identify and select the appropriate fields. For example, if the document was a check, the unidentified field could be the signature field or the quantity field. The user would "oppress" this field. A second screen would appear in the terminal where the missing data would be entered. These routines could be specific to the client, based on the needs of the client. As set forth above, the system may include a currency classification and discrimination module 19. Figures 58-61 illustrate a disc-type coin sorter used in coin sorting and in the discrimination module 19 using a coin driving member having a flexible surface for moving coins along a coin guiding surface of a coin guide member, stationary. Alternatively, the coin sorter may be a rail sorter such as that described in US Patent No. 5,163,868 or in US Patent No. 5,114,381, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The classifier may also be a core classifier such as that described in US Patent No. 2,835,260, a sizer classifier such as that described in US Patent No. 4,360,034, or any type of coin counter disc such as that described in US Patent No. 4,543,969, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Additionally, the coin sorter can be a drum sorter, a double disc sorter, or any other type of coin sorter as is known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the coin sorter, simple, with currency discrimination, can be used to verify the deposit of coins. These classifiers are described in U.S. Patent No. 2,669,998, No. 2,750,949, and No. 5,299,977, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The coin driving member is a rotating disk and the coin guiding member is a stationary sorting head. As can be seen in Figure 58, a hopper 1510 receives coins of mixed denominations and feeds them through central openings that are in a housing 1511 and a coin guiding member in the form of an annular sorting head or plate guide 1512 that is located inside or below the housing. As the coins pass through these openings, are deposited on the upper surface of a coin driving member in the form of a rotary disk 1513. The disk 1513 is mounted to rotate on a short axis (not shown) and driven by an electric motor 1514 mounted on a base plate 1515. Disk 1513 comprises a flexible pad 1516 attached to the upper surface of a solid metal disk 1517. The upper surface of the flexible pad 1516 is preferably separated from the lower surface of the sorting head 1512 by a clearance of approximately 0.13 mm (0.005 inches). The clearance is fixed around the circumference of the sorting head 1512 by a three-point mounting arrangement that includes a pair of rear pivots 1518, 1519 loaded by the respective torsion springs 1520 which tend to raise the front portion of the head. classification head. However, during normal operation, the front portion of the sort head 1512 is held in place by a latch 1522 that is rotatably mounted in the structure 1515 by a bolt 1523. The latch 1522 engages the 1524 pin secured to the classification head. To gain access to the opposing surfaces of the flexible pad 1516 and to the sorting head, the latch is rotated to disengage the pin 1524, and the front portion of the sorting head is raised to an upward position (not shown) by the torsion springs 1520. When the disc 1513 is rotated, the coins 1525 deposited on the upper surface thereof tend to slide outwardly and on the surface of the pad, due to the centrifugal force. The coins 1525, for example, are initially displaced from the center of the disk 1513 by a cone 1526, and are therefore subjected to a sufficient centrifugal force to overcome their static friction with the upper surface of the disk. As the coins move outwards, the coins lying in a flat position on the pad enter the gap between the surface of the pad and the guide plate 1512 because the lower part of the inner periphery of this plate it is separated above the pad 16 by a distance that is approximately the same as the thickness of the thickest coin. As further described below, the coins are classified in their respective denominations, and the coins for each denomination come out of a respective slot, such as slots 1527, 1528, 1529, 1530, 1531 and 1532 (see Figures 58 and 59). for dimes, five cents, a penny, twenty-five cents, a dollar, and a half dollar, respectively. In general, the coins for a given type of money are classified by varying the diameter for the different denominations. Preferably, most alignment, indexing, sorting, and ejection operations are performed when the coins are pressed into engagement with the lower surface of the sort head 1512. In other words, the distance between the bottom surface of the sorting head 1512 with the conduits carrying the coins and the upper surface of the rotary disk 1513 is less than the thickness of the coins that are transported. As mentioned above, that positive control allows the coin sorter to be quickly stopped by braking the rotation of the disk 1513 when a preselected number of coins, of a selected denomination, has been ejected from the sorter. The positive control also allows the classifier to be relatively compact and still operate at high speed. The positive control, for example, allows the individual row stream of coins to be relatively dense, and ensures that each coin in this stream can be directed to a respective outlet slot. Returning now to Figure 59, a bottom view of the preferred sorting head 1512 is shown which includes several channels and other means specially designed for high speed sorting, with positive control of the coins, and which still avoids the problem of scorching. It should be borne in mind that the circulation of the coins, which is clockwise, in Figure 58, appears to be counterclockwise, in Figure 59, because the Figure 59 is a view of the background. The different means that act on the circulating currencies include a region of entrance 1540, means 1541 for extracting "overlapping" coins, means 1542 for selecting coarse coins, first means 1544 for recirculating coins, first referencing means 1545 including means 1546 for recirculating coins, second referencing means 1547, and output means 1527 , 1528, 1529, 1530, 1531, and 1532 for six different denominations of currencies, such as dimes, five-cent coins, pennies, twenty-five-cent coins, one-dollar coins, and half-dollar coins. The lower surface of the sort head 1512 is indicated by the reference number 1550. Considering the first input region 1540, the outwardly moving coins initially enter a semi-annular region below a flat surface 1561 formed in the lower part of the guide plate or classification head 1512. The coin Cl, superimposed on the bottom plan view, of the guide plate in Figure 59 is an example of a coin that has entered the 1540 entry region. Free radial movement of the coins within the input region 1540 is terminated when they make contact with a wall 1562, although the coins continue to move circumferentially through the wall 1562 by the rotational movement of the pad 1516, as indicated by the arrow central counterclockwise, in Figure 59. To prevent the 1540 entry region from becoming blocked by currencies overlapping, the flat region 1561 is provided with an inclined surface 1541 that forms a wall or step 1563 to contact the top coin in an overlapped pair. In Figure 59, for example, a top coin C2 is superimposed on a bottom coin C3. As further shown in Figure 60, the movement of the top coin C2 is limited by the wall 1563 such that the top coin C2 is forced out of the bottom coin C3 as the bottom coin is moved by the disk 1513. Returning to Figure 59, the coins circulating in the input region 1540, such as the coin Cl, are then directed to the means 1542 for the selection of coarse coins. These means 1542 include a cavity surface 1564 on the sorting head 1512 at a depth of 1.78 mm (0.070 inches) from the lowest surface of the sorting head. Therefore, a step or wall 1565 is formed between the surface 1561 of the inlet region 1540 and the surface 1564. The distance between the surface 1564 and the top surface of the disk 1513 is therefore approximately 1.90 mm (0.075 inches). ) so that the relatively thick coins between the surface 1564 and the disk 1513 are retained by the pressure of the pad. To initially make contact with those thick coins, an initial portion of the surface 1564 is formed with a ramp 1566 located adjacent to the wall 1562. Therefore, as the disk 1513 rotates, the thick coins found in the entrance region and which are close to the wall 1562 are contacted by the ramp 1566 and then its radial position is fixed by the pressure between the disc and the surface 1564. The thick coins that fail to make contact initially with the ramp 1566 make contact, however, with the wall 1565 and therefore are recirculated to the central region of the classification head. This is illustrated, for example, in Figure 61 for the C4 currency. This selection and initial location of the thick coins prevents the misaligned thick coins from impeding the flow of coins towards the first reference means 1545. Returning now to Figure 59, the ramp 1566 in the means 1542 for selecting the thick coins can also make Contact with a pair or stack of thin coins. That pile or pair of thin coins will be brought under the pressure of the pad between the surface 1564 and the rotating disc 1513. In the same manner as a thick coin, that pair of stacked coins will have their fixed radial position and be brought to the first referencing means 1545. The first means 1545 for referencing the coins obtain a stream of single row coins directed against the outer wall 1562 and leading them to a ramp 1573. The coins are introduced to the referencing means 1545 by the thinner coins that move radially outward by the centrifugal force, or by the thicker coin (s) C52a following a concentricity by pressure of the pad. The stacked coins C58a and C50a are separated in the inner wall 1582 in such a way that the lower coin C58a is brought against the surface 1572a. The progression of the lower coin C58a is represented by its positions in C58b, C58c, C58d, and C58e. More specifically the lower coin C58 is made to fit between the rotary disk 1513 and the surfaces 1572 to bring the lower coin towards the first recirculating means 1544, where it is recirculated by the wall 1575 at the positions C58d and C58e. At the beginning of the wall 1582 a ramp 1590 is used to recycle coins that are not completely between the outer and inner walls 1562 and 1582 and under the classification head 1512. As shown in Figure 59, no other means is needed to Additionally, provide a suitable introduction of the coins in the referencing means 1545. The referencing means 1545 forms a cavity, additionally, over a region 1591 of sufficient length to allow the C54 coins of the broader denomination to move to the outer wall 1562 by centrifugal force. This allows the C54 coins of the broader denomination to freely move within the referencing means 1545 towards their outer wall 1562 without being pressed between the flexible pad 1516 and the sort head 1512 on the ramp 1590. The inner wall 1582 is preferably built to follow the contour of the roof of the cavity. The region 1591 of the referencing cavity 1545 is raised within the head 1512 by the ramps 1593 and 1594, and the contour consisting of the inner wall 1582 is provided with a ramp 1595. The first referencing means 1545 is deep enough for allowing the C50 coins having a smaller thickness to be guided along the outer wall 1562 by the centrifugal force, but shallow enough to allow the coins C52, C54 having a greater thickness to be pressed between the pad 1516 and the sorting head 1512, such that they are guided along the inner wall 1582 as they move through the referencing means 1545. The referencing cavity 1545 includes a section 1596 that is bent so that the C52 coins, which are thick enough to be guided by the inner wall 1582 but have a width less than the width of the referencing cavity 1 545, are transported away from the inner wall 1582, from a maximum radial location 1583 on the inner wall and towards the ramp 1573. This configuration at the sorting head 1512 allows coins of all denominations to converge on a slanted, narrow fingernail , 1573a on the ramp 1573, and the C54 coins having the greatest width are transported between the inner and outer walls through the surface 1596 on the inclined pawl 1573a, in order to bring the outer edges of all the coins to a location radial in general common. By directing the C50 coins radially inwardly and along the last portion of the outer wall 1562, the probability is significantly reduced that the coins are traversed from the outer wall 1562 by the adjacent coins and that they are driven over the inclined 1573a . Any coins C50 that are slightly traversed of the outer wall 1562 and that at the same time are inclined on the inclined nail 1573a, can be accommodated by moving the edge 1551 of the outlet slot 1527 radially inwardly, enough to increase the width of the slot 1527 to capture the coins traversed C50 but to prevent the capture of coins of higher denominations. To classify Dutch coins, the width of the 1573a inclined nail can be approximately 3.53 mm (0.140 inches). At the terminal end of the ramp 1573, the coins become firmly pressed into the pad 16 and are carried forward to a second referencing means 1547. A coin such as the coin C50c will be carried forward to the second referencing means. 1547 as long as a portion of the coin is compacted by the narrow inclined nail 1573a on the ramp 1573. If a coin is not close enough to the wall 1562 to be contacted by this inclined nail 1573a, then the coin strikes a wall 1574 defined by the second recirculation means 1546, and that coin is recirculated back to the inlet region 1540. The first recirculation means 1544, the second recirculation means 1546 and the second referencing means 1547 are defined at successive positions in the classification head 1512. It will be evident that the first means of recirculation 1544, as well as the second means of reci 1546 circulation, recirculate the coins under the positive pressure control of the pad. The second recirculation means 1547 also uses positive control of the coins to align the outermost edge of the coins with a contact wall 1577. For this purpose, the second recirculation means 1547 includes a surface 1576, for example, at 1.27. mm (0.110 inches) from the bottom surface of the sorting head 1512, and a ramp 1578 that contacts the portions of the inner edge of the coins, such as the coin C50d. As best shown in Figure 59, the initial portion of the gauge wall 1577 is along a spiral path with respect to the center of the sort head 1512 and the sort disk 1513, so that the coins are positively driven in the circumferential direction by the rotary disk 1513, the outer edges of the coins contact the gauge wall 1577 and are forced slightly and radially inward to a precise calibration radius, as shown for the coin C16 in Figure 60. Figure 60 further shows a coin C17 which has been ejected from the second recirculation means 1546. Referring again to Figure 59, the second reference means 1547 ends with a slight ramp 1580 which causes the coins are pressed firmly into the pad 1516 on the rotating disc, with its outermost edges aligned with the calibration radius proport This is done by the calibration wall 1577. At the terminal end of the ramp 1580 the coins are clamped between the guide plate 1512 and the flexible pad 1516 with the maximum compression force. This ensures that the coins are securely held in the new radial position determined by the wall 1577 of the second referencing means 1547. The sorting head 1512 further includes sorting means comprising a series of ejection cavities 1527, 1528, 1529 , 1530, 1531, and 1532, spaced circumferentially through the outer periphery of the plate, and the innermost edges of the successive grooves located progressively far away from the common radial location of the outer edges of all the coins, to receive and eject coins in order of increasing diameter. The width of each ejection recess is slightly larger than the diameter of the coin to be received and expelled by that particular recess, and the surface of the guide plate adjacent to the outer radiating edge of each ejection recess presses the outer portions of the coins received by that rebate inside the flexible pad, so that the inner edges of "these coins are inclined upwards and inwards in the cavity." The ejection cavities extend outward and to the periphery of the guide plate in such a way that the inner edges of these cavities guide the cavities. coins tilted outward and eventually eject those coins that lie between the guide plate 1512 and the flexible pad 1516. The innermost edges of the ejection cavities are located such that the inner edge of a coin of only one particular denomination can enter each cavity; the coins of all other remaining denominations extend inwardly and beyond the inner edge of the particular cavity, such that the inner edges of those coins can not enter the cavity. For example, the first ejection cavity 1527 serves to discharge only dimes, and thus, the innermost edge 1551 of this cavity is located in a radius that is spaced inward from the radius of the calibration wall 1577 by a distance that is uniquely and slightly greater than the diameter of a dime. Consequently, only dimes can enter the cavity 1527. Because the outer edges of all denominations of coins are located in the same radial position when they leave the second referencing means 1547, the inner edges of the coins of a cent, five cents, twenty-five cents, one dollar and half a dollar, all extend in and beyond the innermost edge of cavity 1527, whereby these coins are prevented from entering that particular cavity. In the cavity 1528, the inner edges of only the pennies are located sufficiently close to the periphery of the sort head 1512 to enter the cavity. The inner edges of all the larger coins extend inwardly and beyond the innermost edge 1552 of the cavity 1528, such that they remain clamped between the guide plate and the flexible pad. Accordingly, all coins, except pennies, continue to rotate after cavity 1528. Similarly, only five-cent coins enter the ejector cavity 1529, only twenty-five cents coins enter cavity 1530, only the one dollar coins enter the cavity 1531, and only the half dollar coins enter the cavity 1532. Because each coin is held between the head and classification 1512 and the flexible pad 16 through its movement through the Expelling cavity, the coins are under positive control at all times. Thus, any coin can be stopped at any point along the length of its to the ejection cavity, even when the coin is already projecting partially beyond the outer periphery of the guide plate. Consequently, it does not matter when the disc is stopped (for example, in response to counting a preselected number of coins of a particular denomination), those coins that are already within the different ejection cavities, can be retained within the Sorting head until the disk moves again for the next counting operation. One of six proximity sensors S ^ -SS is mounted along the outer edge of each of the six output channels 1527-1532 in the sorting head, to detect and count coins passing through the output channels respective. By placing the Sj-Sg sensors in the output channels, each sensor is dedicated to a particular coin denomination, and thus it is not necessary to process the sensor output signals to determine the denomination of the coins. The effective fields of the sensors are all located just outside the radius at which the outer edges of all currency denominations are calibrated, before they reach the output channels 1527-1532, so that the sensor only detects the coins they enter their exit channel and do not detect the coins that dodge the exit channel. Only the largest currency denomination. { for example, North American half dollar coins) reaches the sixth output channel 1532, and therefore the location of the sensor in this output channel is not as critical as in the other output channels 1527-1531. In addition to the proximity sensors Sx-S6, each of the output channels 1527-1532 also includes one of six coin discrimination sensors D1-D6. These sensors D1-D6 are the sensors of eddy currents, and will be described in greater detail later, with reference to Figures 62-65 of the drawings. When one of the discrimination sensors detects a coin material that is not the appropriate material for the coins in that output channel, the disc can be stopped by cutting off the power supply or by disconnecting the drive motor and activating a brake. The suspicious coin can then be discharged by moving the drive motor a little with one or more electrical pulses until the trailing edge of the suspicious coin appears on the trailing edge of its output channel. The exact movement of the disk, required to move the trailing edge of a coin, from its sensor to the trailing edge of its output channel, can be determined empirically for each denomination of currency and can then be stored in the system's memory. control. Then an encoder can be used on the sorting disc, to measure the actual movement of the disc after the detection of the suspicious coin, so that the disc can be stopped in the precise position where the suspicious coin appears at the edge of output from its output channel, thus ensuring that coins that follow the suspicious currency are not discharged.

Returning now to FIGS. 62-65, one embodiment of the present invention employs a parasitic eddy current sensor 1710 to perform the function of the coin discrimination system sensors D1-D6. The eddy current sensor 1710 includes an energizing coil 1712 to generate an alternating magnetic field used to induce eddy currents in a coin 1714. The exciting coil 1712 has a start end 1716 and a trailing end 1718. In this embodiment, a Alternating current voltage V ^ to the driving coil, for example, a sinusoidal signal of 250 KHz and 10 volts peak-to-peak, through the start end 1716 and the final end 1718 of the drive coil 1712. The alternate voltage V ^ produces a corresponding current in the exciting coil 1712 which in turn produces a corresponding alternating magnetic field. The alternating magnetic field exists in and around the exciting coil 1712 and extends outwardly to the coin 1714. The magnetic field penetrates the coin 1714 as the coin moves in close proximity to the exciting coil 1712, and currents are induced spiral in coin 1714 as the coin moves through the alternating magnetic field. The force of the parasitic currents flowing in the coin 1714 depends on the composition of the coin material and particularly on the electrical resistance of that material. The resistance affects how much current will flow in the 1614 coin according to Ohm's Law (voltage = current * resistance). The spiral currents themselves also produce a corresponding magnetic field. A proximal sensing coil 1722 and a distal coil 1724 are located above the coin 1714 in such a way that the magnetic field generated by the spiral current induces voltages on the coins 1722, 1724. The distal sensing coil 1724 is placed above of the coin 1714, and the proximal sensing coil 1722 is positioned between the distal sensing coil 1724 and the coin passing 1714. In one embodiment, the exciting coil 1712, the proximal sensing coil 1722 and the distal sensing coil 1724 are all wound in the same direction (either clockwise or counterclockwise). The proximal sensing coil 1722 and the sensing coil 1724 are wound in the same direction in such a way that the voltages induced on these coils by the eddy currents are suitably oriented. The proximal search coil 1722 has a start end 1726 and a end end 1728. Similarly, the distal coil 1724 has a start end 1730 and a end end 1632. In order of increasing distance from the coin 1614, the sensing coils 1722, 1724 are positioned as follows: end end 1728 of the proximal sensing coil 1722, start end 1726 of the proximal sensing coil 1722, end end 1732 of the distal sensing coil 1724 and start end 1730 of the distal sensing coil 1724. The end end 1728 of the proximal sensing coil 1722 is connected to the end end 1732 of the distal sensing coil 1724 through a conductive wire 1734. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other combinations of sensing coils 1722, 1724 are possible. example, in an alternative embodiment the proximal sensing coil 1722 is wound in the opposite direction of the distal sensing coil 1724. In this case the starting end 1726 of the proximal coil 1722 is connected to the final end 1732 of the distal coil 1724. The spiral currents in the cores 1714 induce the voltages Vprx and Vdi3t respectively, on the sensing coils 1722, 1724. Likewise, the driving coil 1712 also induces a signal voltage in Vcom phase in each of the sensing coils 1722, 1724. The signal voltage in VOOIU phase is effectively the same in each sensing coil due to the symmetry of the physical arrangement of the sensing coils inside the driving coil 1712. Because the 1722 sensing coils, 1724, are coiled and physically oriented in the same direction and connected at their endpoints 1728, 1732, the Voom phase signal voltage induced by the excitation coil 1712 is subtracted, leaving only a difference voltage Vdif corresponding to the currents spiral on coins 1714. This eliminates the need for additional circuit assemblies to subtract the signal voltage in Vcom phase. The signal voltage in Vcom phase is subtracted because both the distal sensing coil 1724 and the proximal sensing coil 1722 receive the same induced voltage level Vcom from the exciting coil 1712. Unlike the phased signal voltage, the induced voltages by the spiral current in the sensing coils are not effectively the same. This is because the proximal sensing coil 1722 is purposely placed closer to the passing coin, than the distal sensing coil 1724. Thus, the voltage induced in the proximal sensing coil 1722 is significantly stronger, i.e. amplitude, than the voltage induced in the distal sensing coil 1724. Although the present invention subtracts the voltage induced by the spiral current in the distal coil 1724 from the voltage induced by the spiral current in the proximal coil 1722, the difference in amplitudes of The voltages are large enough to allow detailed separation of the response of the spiral current. As shown in Figure 62, the exciting coil 1712 is radially surrounded by a magnetic shield 1734. The magnetic shield 1734 has a high level of magnetic permeability to help contain the magnetic field surrounding the exciting coil 1712. Magnetic shielding 1734 ± has the advantage of preventing a magnetic scattering field from interfering with other nearby coil current sensors. The magnetic shield is surrounded by an outer steel case 1736. In one embodiment, the exciting coil uses a cylindrical ceramic core (for example, alumina) 1738. Alumina has the advantages of being impermeable to moisture and Provide a wear resistant surface. It is desirable that the core 1748 be able to withstand the wear because it can come into frictional contact with the coil 1714. The alumina bears frictional contact very well due to its high degree of hardness, i.e. about 9 in the scale of ohs. To form the spiral current sensor 1510, the sensing coils 1722, 1724 are wound onto a support (not shown). A preferred support is a cylinder that has a length of 12.7 mm (0.5 inches), a maximum diameter of 6.65 mm (0.2620 inches), a minimum diameter of 4.2 mm (0.1660 inches), and two slots of 1.52 mm (0.060 inches) in width, separated by 1.52 mm (0.060 inches) and spaced from one end of the support by 0.76 mm (0.03 inches). Both the proximal sensing coil 1722 and the distal sensing coil 1724 have 350 turns of winding wire, enamel coated, # 44 AWG, wound in layers to fill, in general, uniformly, the space available in the slots. Each of the sensing coils 1722, 1724 are wound in the same direction and the end ends 1728, 1732 are connected to one another by the conductive wire 1734. The start ends 1726, 1730 of the sensing coils 1722, 1724 are connected to wires identified separately, on a connector cable. The exciting coil 1712 is, in general, a uniform layer, wound on a cylindrical alumina ceramic support, which has a length of 12.7 mm (0.5 inches), an outside diameter of 6.9 mm (0.2750 inches) and a wall thickness of 0.79 mm (0.03125 inches). Exciter coil 1712 is "wound with 135 turns of winding wire covered with enamel, # 42 AWG, in the same direction as the sensing coils 1722, 1724. The voltage of the Vex driver coil is applied through the start end 1716 and the final end 1718. After the exciting coil 1712 and the sensing coils 1722, 1724 are wound, the exciting coil 1712 slides over the sensing coils 1722, 1724 about a common central axis. 1710 is connected to a test oscillator (not shown) -and applies the excitation voltage Vex to the drive coil 1712. The position of the drive coil is adjusted along the coil axis to provide a zero feedback of the coils 1722, 1724 detectors on a metal-free alternating current voltmeter close to the windings of the coil, then the magnetic shield 1644 is slid over the exciting coil 1712 and adjusted to to again give a zero response of the detector coils 1722, 1724. The magnetic shield 1744 and the coils 1712, 1722, 1724 within the magnetic shield 1744 are then placed in the outer steel casing 1746 and encapsulated with a polymeric resin (not shown) to "freeze" the position of the magnetic shield 1744 and the coils 1712, 1722, 1724. After curing the resin, one end of the sensor 1710 of spiral current closest to proximal search coil 1722 is sanded and polished to produce a full and smooth surface with coils 1712, 1722 slightly placed in a cavity within the resin. To detect the effect of the coin 1714 on the voltages induced by the detector coils 1722, 1724, it is preferred to use a combination of a phase and amplitude analysis of the detected voltage. This type of analysis minimizes the effects of variations in the surface geometry of the coin and in the distance between the coin and the coils.

The voltage applied to the driving coil 1712 causes the current to flow in the coil 1712, which is delayed behind the voltage 1720. For example, the current can be delayed from the voltage 1720 by 90 degrees in a superconducting coil. In effect, the spiral currents of the coin 1714 impose a resistive loss on the current found in the driving coil 1712. Therefore, the initial phase difference between the voltage and the current, in the exciting coil 1712, is They are decreased by the presence of the coin 1714. Thus, when the sensing coils 1724, 1726 have a voltage induced thereon, the phase difference between the voltage applied to the driving coil 1712 and that of the sensing coils is reduced due to the effect of the spiral current in the coin. The amount of reduction in the phase difference is proportional to the electric and magnetic characteristics of the coin and, therefore, to the composition of the coin. By analyzing both the phase difference and the maximum amplitude, an accurate evaluation of the composition of the coin can be achieved. Figures 65A and 65B illustrate a preferred phase sensitive detector, 1750, for sampling the differential output signal Vdif of the two sensing coils 1722, 1724. The differential output signal V ^ is passed through a separating amplifier 252 to a switch 1754, where separate Vdif is sampled once per cycle through the momentary closure of switch 1754. Switch 1754 is controlled by a series of reference pulses produced from the Vex signal, one pulse per cycle. The reference pulses 1758 are synchronized with the excitation voltage Vex, such that the amplitude of the differential output signal Vdif during the sampling interval is a function not only of the amplitude of the coil voltages 1736, 1738 sensor, but also of the phase difference between the signals on the driver coil 1712 and the sensor coils 1736, 1738. The pulses derived from the Vßx are delayed by a "run-off angle" which can be adjusted to minimize the sensitivity of the sensor. Vdif to the variations in the free space between the proximal face of the sensor 1710 and the surface of the coin 1714 that is being detected. The value of the runoff angle for any given coin can be determined empirically by moving a standard metal disc, made of the same material as that of the coin 1714, from a position where it makes contact with the face of the sensor, to a position in where it is separated approximately 0.025 mm (0.001 inch) up to 0.51 mm (0.020 inch) from the face of the sensor. The signal sample of the detector 1750 is measured in both positions, and the difference between the two measurements is observed. This process is repeated at different runout angles to determine the runoff angle that produces the smallest difference between the two measurements. Each time that separate Vdif is sampled, the resulting sample is passed through a second separator amplifier 1756 to an analog-to-digital converter (not shown). The resulting digital value is supplied to a microprocessor (not shown) that compares that value with several different ranges of the values stored in a look-up table (not shown). Each range of stored values corresponds to a particular currency material, and in this way, the material of the coin represented by some given sample of values is determined by the particular stored interval within which the values of the samples fall. The ranges of stored values can be determined empirically simply by measuring a batch of coins of each denomination and storing the resulting range of values, measured for each denomination. If desired, the currency classification and discrimination module 19 can be replaced with a currency discrimination module that does not classify the coins or only by a currency classification module. These modules would align the currencies of all denominations in a single row and guide them through a single coin discrimination sensor to determine if the coins are genuine. Coins of all denominations would then be discharged into a single storage enclosure and sorted at a later time. Coins that are detected to be genuine would deviate and return to the customer at the coin return station 4. When one of the discrimination sensors described above detects an invalid coin, the invalid currency is separated from the valid currencies and returned to the customer. In the illustrative module 8, this separation is effected outside the classification disc by the shunting device illustrated in Figures 66-69. The curved outlet conduit 1800 includes two grooves 1802, 1804 separated by an internal division 1806. The internal division 1806 is mounted so that it can rotate to a stationary base 1808 such that the internal division 1806 can move, perpendicularly. to the plane of the coins, by means of an actuator 1810 between an upper position (Figure 68) and a lower position (Figure 67). The outlet conduit 1800 is positioned adjacent an outlet channel of the coin sorter, such that the coins exiting the coin sorter are guided into the slot 1802 when the internal division 1806 is in the lower position (FIG. 67). When an invalid coin is detected by the discrimination sensor D, the actuator 1810 moves the internal division 1806 to the upper position (Figure 64) in such a way that the invalid coin now enters the slot 1804 of the exit conduit 1800. The coins which enter the slot 1804 are discharged towards the tube that transports those coins towards the groove 62 of return of coins, at the front of the system. Although Figures 65-68 illustrate only a single outlet conduit, it will be apparent that an outlet conduit is provided in each of the six coin exit locations, around the circumference of the sorting disc. The actuator 1810 moves the internal division 1806 between the upper and lower positions, in response to the detection of invalid and valid coins. Thus, if the internal division 1806 is in the lower position and an invalid coin is detected, the division 1806 is moved to the upper position, such that the invalid currency is diverted to the slot 1804. Alternatively, an invalid coin can be separated. of the valid currencies through the use of internal actuators that are located in the classification head, activated by signals derived from one or more sensors mounted in the classification head upstream of the actuators. One such arrangement is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,299,977, which is incorporated herein by reference. Although the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown, by way of example in the drawings, and are described in detail herein, however, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention. to the particular forms described, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the foregoing invention, it is considered as a novelty, and therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS

1. A document processing system, characterized in that it comprises: an input receptacle for receiving documents; a complete image scanning device; a transport mechanism coupled to the input receptacle for receiving documents from the input receptacle and transporting the documents beyond the entire image scanning device; an exit receptacle for receiving documents from the transport mechanism after being transported beyond the entire image scanning device; the complete image scanning device includes means for obtaining a complete video image of the documents, means for obtaining an image of a selected area of the documents, and means for obtaining information contained in the selected area of the document; and, a system controller coupled to the transport mechanism to direct the flow of documents through the transport mechanism.

2. The document processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the output receptacle is a tray.

3. The document processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the output receptacle is a plurality of trays.

4. The document processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises means for communicating operational instructions, from the controller to a user.

5. The document processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises means for communication with an external accounting system, and the means are coupled to the controller, the external accounting system processes the information concerning the documents, substantially immediate

6. The document processing system, according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises means for sending the complete image of the document to an external accounting system, the means are coupled to the controller.

7. The document processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the documents have wide and narrow dimensions, and the documents are scanned along their narrow dimension.

8. The document processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the documents have wide and narrow dimensions and the documents are scanned along the wide dimension.

9. The document processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a discrimination unit, the discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of the document, the transport mechanism moves the documents beyond the discrimination unit.

10. The document processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the documents are documents of financial institutions and money.

11. The document processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that the documents of financial institutions are checks and deposit slips.

12. The document processing system according to claim 10, characterized in that the documents of financial institutions are transfer tokens.

13. The document processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes means for the detection of forgery, the forgery detecting means includes a magnetic sensor for reading the magnetic ink of the document.

14. A system of. money processing, characterized in that it comprises: an input receptacle to receive the money; a complete image scanning device; a transport mechanism coupled to the input receptacle for receiving the money from the input receptacle and transporting the money beyond the entire image scanning device and the discrimination unit; an outlet receptacle for receiving money from the transport mechanism, after being transported beyond the entire image scanning device and the discrimination unit; the complete image scanning device includes means for obtaining a complete video image of the money, means for obtaining an image of a selected area of the money, and means for obtaining information contained in the selected area of the money; the unit of discrimination includes means to determine the authenticity of the money; and, a system controller coupled to the transport mechanism to direct the flow of money in the transport mechanism.

15. The money processing system, according to claim 14, characterized in that the outlet receptacle is a single tray.

16. The money processing system, according to claim 14, characterized in that the outlet receptacle is a plurality of trays.

17. A check processing system characterized in that it comprises: an input receptacle for receiving checks; a complete image scanning device; a transport mechanism coupled to the input receptacle for receiving the checks from the input receptacle and transporting the checks beyond the entire image scanning device; an outlet receptacle for receiving checks from the transport mechanism after being transported beyond the entire image scanning device; the complete image scanning device includes means for obtaining a complete video image of the checks, means for obtaining an image of a selected area of the checks, and means for obtaining information contained in the selected area of the checks; means for receiving customer identification and means for authenticating customer identification; means to dispense and distribute funds after authenticating client authentication; and a system controller coupled to the transport mechanism to direct the flow of checks in the transport mechanism.

18. The check processing system according to claim 17, characterized in that the outlet receptacle is a single tray.

19. The check processing system according to claim 17, characterized in that the outlet receptacle is a plurality of trays.

20. A method for processing documents, comprising the steps of: receiving the documents in an input receptacle; transporting documents from the input receptacle beyond a complete image scanning device and a discrimination unit; receiving the documents in an exit receptacle from the transport mechanism, after being transported beyond the entire image scanning device and the discrimination unit; obtain a complete video image of the documents, obtain an image of a selected area of the documents, and obtain information contained in the selected area of the document; determine the authenticity of the document; and, direct document flows in the transport mechanism.

21. A system for processing documents of financial institutions, comprising: a multitude of complete, compact image processing units, communicatively coupled to each other to form a network, and each of the complete image processing units comprising: a receptacle entry to receive documents from financial institutions; a complete image scanning device; a transport mechanism coupled to the input receptacle for receiving documents from the input receptacle and transporting the documents beyond a complete image scanning device and a discrimination unit; an exit receptacle for receiving documents from the transport mechanism after being transported beyond the entire image scanning device and the discrimination unit; The complete image scanning device includes means for obtaining a complete video image of the documents; means for obtaining an image of a selected area of the documents, and means for obtaining image information of the selected area of the documents; the discrimination unit includes means to determine the authenticity of the documents; and a system controller that collects the transport mechanisms to direct the flow of documents in the transport mechanism.

22. The system according to claim 21, characterized in that the outlet receptacle is a single tray.

23. The system according to claim 21, characterized in that the outlet receptacle is a plurality of trays.

24. A document processing system, comprising: a document processor comprising an input receptacle for receiving documents; a complete image scanning device; a transport mechanism coupled to the input receptacle for receiving documents from the input receptacle and transporting the documents beyond the entire image scanning device and a discrimination unit; an exit receptacle for receiving documents from the transport mechanism after being transported beyond the entire image scanning device and the discrimination unit; the complete image scanning device includes means for obtaining a complete video image of the documents; means for obtaining an image of a selected area of the documents and means for obtaining information contained in the selected area of the document; the discrimination unit includes means to determine the authenticity of the document; a controller coupled to the transport mechanism to direct the flow of documents through the transport mechanism; and, a central processing unit located in a central location; the unit is coupled to the document processor to process and store information concerning the documents.

25. The document processing system according to claim 24, characterized in that the central processing unit and the document processor are coupled by a two-way communication link, the link allows audio communication in two ways between the central unit of processing and the document processor.

26. A method for processing documents, comprising the steps of: receiving the documents in an input receptacle; transporting documents from the input receptacle beyond a complete image scanning device and a discrimination unit; receiving the documents in an exit receptacle from, the transport mechanism, after being transported beyond the entire image scanning device and the discrimination unit; obtain a complete video image of the documents, obtain an image of a selected area of the documents, and obtain information contained in the selected area of the document; process unidentified documents; provide a central office computer; attach the central office computer to the full image scanning device; provide a cash register inspection apparatus; coupling the cash register inspection apparatus to the complete image scanning device; determine the authenticity of the document; and, direct document flows in the transport mechanism.

27. A device for evaluating documents, for receiving a stack of documents and quickly evaluating all documents that are in the stack, the device is characterized in that it comprises: an input receptacle for receiving a stack of documents to be evaluated; a single outlet receptacle to receive the documents after they have been evaluated; a transport mechanism for transporting the documents, one at a time, from the entrance receptacle to the exit receptacle, along a transport route; a complete image scanning device for evaluating and identifying the documents, the entire image scanning device includes a detector located along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle; and, means for marking a document when the identity thereof is not determined by the complete image scanning device.

28. A device for counting and discriminating documents, for receiving a stack of documents, counting and rapidly discriminating the documents that are in the stack, and then re-stacking the documents, the complete image scanning device is characterized in that it comprises: an input receptacle for receiving a stack of documents to be discriminated; a complete image scanning device to obtain a complete image of the documents and to discriminate the value of the documents; one or more output receptacles for receiving documents after being discriminated by the complete image scanning device; a transport mechanism for transporting the documents, one at a time, from the input receptacle, beyond a sensor of the entire image scanning device, and towards one or more output receptacles; one or more counters that track the value of discriminated documents; means of indicating the value, so that an operator of the device -indicates the value of the documents whose value has not been determined by the complete image scanning device, the documents whose value has not been determined by the complete image scanning device are unidentified documents, the means appropriately affect the (the accountants); and, a housing for the input receptacle, for the complete image scanning device, for the output receptacle (s), and for the transport mechanism; where the means of value indicators are fixed to the housing.

29. The discrimination device according to claim 28, characterized in that the value indicating means comprise selection elements of the denomination.

30. The discrimination device according to claim 28, characterized in that it has a single outlet receptacle;

31. The discrimination device according to claim 28, characterized in that it has exactly two output receptacles.

32. A device for counting and discriminating money, for receiving a stack of money bills, counting and rapidly discriminating bills in the stack, and then re-stacking the bills, the device is characterized in that it comprises: entry to receive a stack of money bills to be discriminated; a complete image scanning device for discriminating the denomination of money bills; one or more exit receptacles for receiving the money bills after being discriminated by the discrimination unit; a transport mechanism for transporting the money bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle and beyond a sensor of the entire image scanning device and towards one or more output receptacles; one or more counters that track the value of the discriminated bills; indicator means of value for a device operator, to indicate the value of any of the banknotes whose denomination is not determined by the complete image scanning device, the banknotes whose denomination is not determined by the complete image scanning device are banknotes unidentified, the media appropriately affects one or more counters; and, means for indicating to an operator of the device the denomination of an unidentified ticket.

33. The discrimination device according to claim 32, characterized in that the value indicating means comprise selection elements of the denomination.

34. The discrimination device according to claim 32, characterized in that the indicating means initially suggest that the denomination of an unidentified bill is the same as that of a immediately previous bill.

35. The discrimination device according to claim 32, characterized in that the indicating means initially suggest that the denomination of an unidentified bill is the same as that of the last bill whose denomination was determined by the complete image scanning device.

36. The discrimination device according to claim 32, characterized in that the indicating means initially suggests that the denomination of an unidentified bill is the same as that of the last bill that was an unidentified bill.

37. A document authentication method, comprising the steps of: illuminating a document with an ultraviolet light; obtain a complete video image of the document; process the information of the video image of the document; detect the ultraviolet light reflected by the document; and, determining the authenticity of the document based on a comparison of the ultraviolet light reflected from the bill, with the ultraviolet light reflected from a genuine document illuminated with ultraviolet light.